The Rajya Sabha functioned for the first time since the winter session commenced on December 11 on Thursday, after the All India Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam members staged a walkout after they were disallowed by Chairman Venkaiah Naidu to speak on the Mekadatu dam issue.
For 14 days, the Rajya Sabha did not transact any significant business with AIADMK members carrying placards storming the well of the House shouting slogans.
Mr. Naidu began the day with strong objection to some MPs blaming him for not doing enough to bring the House to order for conduct of proceedings, and said he had on several occasions spoken to members to break the deadlock. He appealed to all sections of the House pleading that only three working days are left and there are many important legislations pending.
“I would like everyone to understand that we are not sending a positive message,” he said, noting that the House has not been able to conduct much work.
He said he felt sad about the Wednesday order when AIADMK members were suspended for the day but they continued their protest in the well, forcing adjournment of proceedings for the day. The Opposition parties urged him not to take any further action against the protesting members.
Mr. Naidu said one section is saying that the Chairman hasn’t done enough to smoothly conduct proceedings. “I have spoken to those members who have been agitating (in the well of the House) more than 10 times,” he said, adding he had also taken up the matter with several leaders of the House and some members individually.
Soon after his appeal, AIADMK floor leader A. Navaneethakrishnan stood up to protest against suspension of 24 of his colleagues in the Lok Sabha for five days.
“This is undemocratic,” he said as Mr. Naidu ruled that conduct in the Lok Sabha cannot be discussed in the Upper House.
Demanding that the Central government withdraw permission given for a detailed feasibility report (DFR) for the Mekadatu dam project, he said the people of Tamil Nadu are being adversely affected. Referring to party MPs being suspended from the Lok Sabha, he said, “Our people are suffering.” To this, Mr. Naidu said, “People of the country are suffering” because of disruptions his party has caused in the Rajya Sabha, resulting in washout of proceedings on most days of the current session.
He said Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari came to the House on Wednesday to give a statement on the issue but could not do so due to disruptions by the party members. The Chairman did not allow Mr. Navaneethakrishnan to raise the issue any further, following which the AIADMK members walked out of the House
Following this, the House functioned smoothly without adjournments.
