Parliament witnessed disruptions for the second day on Wednesday over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s suggestion during the Gujarat election campaign that a conspiracy was hatched with Pakistan to influence State polls at a dinner where former PM Manmohan Singh was present.
While the Rajya Sabha was repeatedly adjourned with Congress members protesting on the issue, the Lok Sabha saw the Congress stage a walkout in the second half, after which a Bill was passed. The Congress in the Rajya Sabha scaled down its demand from an apology to a clarification by Mr. Modi, but this too could not break the stalemate.
Earlier, the Lok Sabha had also been unable to function in the first half – but for an intervention by BJD leader Bhartruhari Mahtab asking for a debate on the need to set up a Mahanadi tribunal for sharing the river waters between Odisha and Chhattisgarh during zero hour.
The Lower House had to be adjourned twice in the first half.
In the Rajya Sabha, Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu ruled out an apology amid Congress protests.
“Nobody is going to give apology. Nothing happened in the House. No statement is made in the House. There is no practice of suspension of question hour. Don’t make a mockery of the House. Already wrong message is going,” Mr. Naidu said.
Congress members raised slogans and created uproar soon after the House assembled for the day.
As the protesting members entered the well raising slogans, Mr. Naidu adjourned the House first during zero hour till noon and then during question hour till 2 p.m.
When the House convened at 2 p.m., Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said that even an ordinary Congress worker could not think of conspiring with Pakistan.
The Congress, which for the last three days has been demanding an apology from the Prime Minister, scaled down its demand. “We are not asking for an apology; the least the government can do is to clarify,” he said.
Mr. Azad said the Prime Minister should take back his words. “He can say that it was an election stunt. Now that the results are out and we have been benefited by spinning these tales, I am taking back my words,” he added.
The government refused to respond to Mr. Azad’s comment. The Congress trooped into the well of the House, leading to its adjournment for the day.
After the Congress staged a walkout in the Lok Sabha post-lunch, Mr. Kharge told reporters, “We wanted PM Modi to apologize or put the facts before the people for making a scandalous remark against Dr. Singh. What was the reason he said the former Prime Minister was involved in a conspiracy and questioned his patriotism?”
He added that when the Congress had given an adjournment motion, it was not allowed. Congress MP Ranjeeta Ranjan wanted to raise it at zero hour but that too was not allowed. “We had no option but to walk out for the day and tell the people through you that the PM is trying to divide the people by making objectionable allegations,” said Mr. Kharge.
