March 17, 2023 10:54 am | Updated 12:04 pm IST
PTI File photo | Photo Credit: -
Fireworks continued in both Houses of Parliament on Friday over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks and the Adani issue. Both Houses were adjourned within half an hour of beginning the day’s proceedings. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will now reconvene on Monday, March 20, at 11.00 a.m.
So far, the second leg of the Budget Session has failed to transact any major legislative business due to repeated disruptions over Mr. Gandhi’s democracy remarks and the Adani Group issue. The Congress has claimed that the row over Rahul Gandhi’s remarks in the U.K. has been created by the government to divert attention from the Adani issue. The ruling party, meanwhile, remains adamant about its demand for an apology from the Congress leader on his remarks.
Congress MP Sonia Gandhi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi joined the Opposition protest in favour of their demand of a JPC probe into Adani stocks issue.
Speaker Om Birla urged members to allow Lok Sabha to function, but as sloganeering continued, the House was adjourned for the day.
Proceedings will resume on Monday, March 20.
Once again, no significant business has been conducted in the Upper House. Proceedings will now resume on Monday, March 20, at 11.00 a.m.
Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar also informed the House that in connection with an earlier Point of Order raised by Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge against Leader of House Piyush Goyal, he has asked Mr. Goyal to authenticate his remarks.
Members protest with loud slogans and chants.
Soon after the protesting MPs stormed into the Well of the House, livestream audio went on mute. Visuals showed several Opposition leaders raising slogans in the Well.
Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar extends birthday greetings to Kannada actor and MP Jaggesh.
The Lower House began proceedings of the day with Question Hour. Several members of the Opposition soon came to the Well of the House and were seen raising slogans.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge took a dig at the BJP for attacking Rahul Gandhi over his remarks. “They [BJP] themselves are anti-national. They never took part in India’s freedom movement. And they’re calling others anti-national. They are doing this to deviate from issues of unemployment and inflation. Can Rahul Gandhi ever be anti-national? Are people who debate about democracy anti-national? I condemn JP Nadda’s statement. Why are they not giving Rahul Gandhi a chance to speak in Parliament.”
AAP MP Sanjay Singh has given a suspension of business notice in the Rajya Sabha under Rule 267, demanding a discussion on Adani stocks issue. Similar notices given by Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan and Syed Naseer Hussain. In the Lok Sabha, Congress MP Manickam Tagore has given an adjournment motion notice, seeking a discussion on the issue.
Congress MP Manish Tewari has once again given an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha, seeking a discussion on the “essence, substance and spirit” of Freedom of Speech accorded to Members of Parliament under Article 105 of the Constitution.
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