The entire pre-noon session of Parliament was lost as the Treasury and Opposition stuck to their guns on the Lalit Modi issue and the Vyapam scam, resulting in quick adjournment of proceedings with little business transacted pre-lunch.
While Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned proceedings for the day shortly after noon sensing the combative mood prevalent in the House, Rajya Sabha is scheduled to resume post-lunch.
The Government held its ground. "You can discuss, but no resignations," Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi could be heard saying over the din during Zero Hour.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi went across the political divide to greet Opposition leaders. But soon after the courtesies were exchange, it was back to pavilion as the government and Opposition sparred over the two scams.
The Telugu Desam Party has demanded that the Central Government fulfil the assurances given in the A.P. State Reorganisation Act including granting of the special category status assured to the State post bifurcation. >More..
1:12 pm: BJP MP Arjun Ram Meghwal seen with his bicycle outside Parliament on Thursday. Photo: Sandeep Saxena
12:16 pm: Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 p.m.
12:15 pm: Lok Sabha adjourned for the day amid din over corruption charges against BJP Ministers.
11:24 am: Rajya Sabha adjourned till noon after Opposition and Treasury Benches wrangle over procedural issues on discussing scams.
11:14 am: No resignations, says Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi to Opposition demand that discussion on corruption charges against the government should be preceded by action. "You can discuss, but no resignations."
11:08 am: In Rajya Sabha, Congress' Hanumantha Rao brings a poster to the House: 2000 crore Vyapam Scam, CM Shivraj Chouhan should resign.
11:06 am: Lok Sabha adjourned till noon.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi seen leaving the Parliament House after Lok Sabha was adjourned. Photo: Sandeep Saxena
11:05 am: Opposition MPs hold placards in Lok Sabha for the second day running despite Speaker's threat of disciplinary action. TRS MPs rush into the well shouting slogans.
11:04 am: Lok Sabha Speaker rejects notices moved by Opposition for adjournment of proceedings on a slew of issues.
Opposition raises objection as to how a notice moved by Anand Sharma reached the Leader of the House. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury says that notice should have not have landed in the hands of the Leader of the House and threatens to move a privilege notice.
11:03 am: All opposition parties are united in Parliament, we are talking to them: Jyotiraditya Scindia
10:48 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at the central hall of Parliament. He will pay floral tributes to Bal Gangadhar Tilak. Photo: Sandeep Saxena
BJP, Congress accuse each other of acting against national interests - Jatin Gandhi
The confrontation between the ruling party and the principal Opposition party escalated on the second day of the monsoon session of Parliament with the Lok Sabha unable to function beyond a few minutes and the two sides accusing each other of acting against the interests of the nation. >More..
Following is today’s schedule for both Houses of Parliament:
Lok Sabha:
Bill for withdrawal:
The Repealing and Amending (Third) Bill, 2015.
Bills for consideration and passing:
The Delhi High Court (Amendment) Bill, 2015.
The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2014.
Rajya Sabha:
Bill for consideration and passing:
The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill, 2015.
Highlights: day 1 and 2 of monsoon session
| 1 | No business could be conducted in Parliament on Wednesday as a combative Opposition sought to force a discussion on corruption in the wake of the Lalit Modi case and the Vyapam scam. |
| 2 | The Congress parliamentary party meeting saw Shashi Tharoor, MP, being ticked off by an irate party president, Sonia Gandhi. Mr. Tharoor had reportedly said on Monday that he was not in favour of the Congress disrupting Parliament to press the Modi government to seek the resignations of three top BJP leaders. |
| 3 | Finance Minister Arun Jaitley lashed out at the Opposition saying it was “weak on arguments and strong on disturbance“. |
| 4 | Home Minister Rajnath Singh termed the Opposition’s conduct in Parliament “unfortunate” after Ms. Swaraj expressed her willingness to make a statement on the Lalit Modi issue. |
| 5 | Congress members were also sporting black badges on their arms to register their protests and continued wearing them and carrying placards despite Speaker's warning against doing so. |
| 6 | The placards, carried by Congress members, read 'Bade Modi meherban, to chhote Modi pehelwan' (a Hindi idiom meaning that a small person is strong if supported by a powerful person) and 'PM chuppi todo' (PM, break your silence), Modi ji 56 inch dikhao, Sushma, Raje ko turant hatao (Show your 56 inch chest by removing Swaraj and Raje). |
| 7 | Quoting various rules, the Speaker told the agitating members that they must give proper notice in advance if they want to raise any issue on the floor of the House. |
| 8 | While Mr. Modi was not present in the House, Ms. Swaraj was sitting in the front row along with the Home Minister and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. |
| 9 | I hope that promises made by some political parties during the last session to help good decisions in this session will be kept, Mr. Modi said ahead of the session. |
| 10 | Mr. Modi stepped in to face an adamant Congress that had said it would not permit Parliament to function unless BJP leaders facing allegations from impropriety to corruption, quit. |
