Congress members, upset over the 'National Herald' case, on Wednesday disrupted Parliament, protesting against alleged “vendetta politics” leading to the adjournment of the Rajya Sabha. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted Congress president Sonia Gandhi on her 69th birthday, wishing her a long life and good health. >More...>
Even before Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien could take his seat when the House assembled for the day, Congress members rushed into the Well shouting slogans: “ Modi teri tanashahi nahi chalegi, nahi chalegi (dictatorship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not be tolerated).”
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said it was “hundred per cent political vendetta” but declared that he has full faith in the judiciary. When asked about Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu’s charge that the Congress was using Parliament to threaten judiciary (by disruption), he said, “It is the other way round. Who is threatening judiciary. We all know.”
BJD members also trooped into the Well carrying placards opposing the multi-purpose Polavaram irrigation project.
The space Mr. Modi had created for political consensus over the Goods and Services Tax (GST), following his meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, seemed to be shrinking as the 'National Herald' controversy gained traction in Parliament on Tuesday. >More...
Live updates:
2:40 pm: Kurien adjournd the House till 3 pm.
2:10 pm: Amidst the din, Naqvi asserted that the government had nothing to do with the National Herald case which was a legal matter. The MoS for Parliamentary Affairs said Congress should “not to threaten the Courts through the Parliament."
2:00 pm: Congress members troop into the Well once again shouting slogans against the government in Rajya Sabha.
1:45 pm: Congress found support from the TMC as it accused the government in the Lok Sabha of “repressing” opposition leaders.
1:23 pm: we have full faith in the legal system of the country and we will see what comes out: Rahul Gandhi to reporters
1:22 pm: It is 100 per cent political vendetta, says Rahul Gandhi on 'National Herald' case.
12:47 pm: Trinamool Congress members walk out of Lok Sabha, supporting Congress charge of "vendetta politics" against the government.
12:20 pm: This is their tolerance — obstructing nation's growth. People are watching, says Venkaiah Naidu in Lok Sabha.
12:18 pm: Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 p.m.
12:14 pm: He (V.K. Singh) has no respect for the Constitution, he should be dropped, he has no right to stay in the Government: Mallikarjun Kharge
12:10 pm: The Govt is trying to harass and scare all the Opposition parties: Mallikarjun Kharge in Lok Sabha
12:09 pm: The House has nothing got to do with this ('National Herald' case), it's a court's decision. Wasting Parliament's time is not good for democracy, says Nitin Gadkari.
12:05 pm: What is the point of disrupting the Parliament? Why not debate in the court? This is bad for nation, says Ram Jethmalani
11:50 am: Passage of GST bill is the need of the hour, says Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu.
11:39 am: Rajya Sabha adjourned till noon.
11:08 am: Rajya Sabha adjourned till 1130 hrs as Congress MPs stage protest over alleged 'politics of vengeance' by the BJP-led govt.
11:04 am: Uproar in Rajya Sabha as Opposition protests over 'National Herald' case.
10:40 am: PM Modi's meeting with senior BJP Ministers is underway in Parliament. Union Ministers Venkaiah Naidu, Arun Jaitley and Rajnath Singh present.
Following is today’s schedule for both Houses of Parliament:
Lok Sabha:
Bills for consideration and passing:
— The Indian Trusts (Amendment) Bill, 2015.
— The Commercial Courts, Commercial Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts Bill, 2015.
Further discussion on drought situation in various parts of the country.
Rajya Sabha:
Bills for consideration and passing:
— The Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015.
— The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2015.
Short duration discussion on the rise in the prices of essential commodities and food grains in the country.
Complete list of business in >Lok Sabha and >Rajya Sabha .
Top Developments:
| 1 | Prime Minister Narendra Modi today greeted Congress President Sonia Gandhi on her 69th birthday, wishing her a long life and good health. |
| 2 | On Tuesday, both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned for the day after repeated disruptions by Congress members. |
| 3 | High-level sources in the government told reporters that given the political situation, the Modi regime no longer expects the Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, meant to introduce the GST, to clear Parliament in the current session. |
| 4 | Speaking to The Hindu , Congress leader Anand Sharma said that the party plans to counter the ruling BJP not only over the 'National Herald' controversy, but also challenge it over what he called a prolonged misuse of state organs and selective targeting of its leaders. |
| 5 | Congress president Sonia Gandhi, son Rahul Gandhi and others were on Tuesday directed to appear in person on December 19 by a Delhi court which allowed their plea seeking exemption from personal appearance for the day in the ‘National Herald’ case. |
| 6 | Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has rejected Congress's charge of political vendetta on the part of Modi government in the 'National Herald' case saying it has nothing to do with it. |
| 7 | Attacking the Congress over disruption of Parliament on the issue, Mr. Jaitley asked party leaders, including Sonia and Rahul Gandhi to face the courts saying India is not a banana republic in which Parliament or media can decide the guilt or innocence in such matters. |
| 8 | No sooner had both the Houses assembled on Tuesday, Congress members stormed the Well, shouting slogans against the government and refusing to heed to the Chair’s repeated pleas that they return to their seats and raise the issue. |
| 9 | Earlier, in a bid to ensure that the Bill clears Parliament in the current session so as to meet the April 1, 2016, target for roll out of the GST, Mr.Modi held talks with Ms.Gandhi and Mr.Singh. |
| 10 | This was after the Congress, over a set of three broad demands, had not allowed the Bill to be taken up for passage during the monsoon session in the Rajya Sabha, where the government is dependent on that party’s support for the two-thirds majority required to pass it. |
