Opposition members stalled the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha on the third consecutive day on Friday on the issue of Gaza violence, demanding that a discussion be held immediately and not on Monday as the government proposed on Thursday.
The government said that as decided in the Business Advisory Committee meeting on Thursday, the discussion would take place on Monday. As each side stuck to its position, the House was repeatedly adjourned till 2.30 p.m., when private members’ business was taken up.
Soon after the House met, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Prakash Javadekar said Mr. Yechury’s plea was a matter between him and the Chair and the government was ready for a discussion only on Monday.
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At this, Pramod Tiwari (Congress) asked why the government was running away from a discussion. Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said: “In case the government is not ready for a discussion on Friday, then it will not be possible for the Opposition to cooperate with the government.”
Appealing to the treasury benches and the Opposition to be “accommodating”, Mr. Kurien said “Let us bridge this gap.”