Number games

The Congress-led Opposition has lodged its protest and boycotted the Lok Sabha, so the House is bereft of disruptions. But that hasn't solved the government's woes. Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Union minister of state, skill development and entrepreneurship, and parliamentary affairs, was seen desperately seeking out MPs - he didn't even spare Left leader A Sampath - to cobble together a quorum to allow the House to function. As per the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha, at least 10 per cent of the total number of members of the House must be present to form the quorum needed to constitute a meeting of either House of Parliament.