The United Progressive Alliance government was forced by the BJP-led Opposition parties to adjourn both Houses of Parliament immediately after Home Minister P. Chidambaram made a short statement on the bomb blasts in the Delhi High Court complex on Wednesday.
The government succumbed to the Opposition pressure, but not before it was conveyed to senior BJP leaders that under their NDA regime, when the Parliament House itself was attacked by terrorists on December 13, 2001, the proceedings of the two Houses were not adjourned.
According to government sources, even before news came in about the explosions, the BJP planned to seek adjournment of question hour to flag its demand for removal of the Gujarat Lokayukta and stall the proceedings again. With the horrific killings outside the High Court overshadowing all other events, the BJP decided to stick to its demand for an adjournment — but on the issue of blasts.
A senior Minister said he had hoped that at least on such a day, in the face of a national tragedy, the parties would unite to run Parliament smoothly — especially as the government promptly acceded to the Opposition demand for a statement. Instead, the BJP leadership led the demand for adjournment as a mark of solidarity with and respect for the victims.
This monsoon session, which has had 23 sittings so far, 14 days were washed out, senior government sources said, what with repeated adjournments forced by the Opposition. Thursday, 24th day, will be the last day.
