Parliament stalled again, entire week washed out

New Delhi: An unrelenting Opposition on Friday again forced both the Houses of Parliament to be adjourned without transacting any business, thus ensuring that the entire week resulted in a washout, as they stuck to their demand of having a discussion on demonetisation with the provision of voting and in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In the Lok Sabha, Opposition members, including those from Congress, Trinamool Congress and the Left parties, trooped into the Well, resorting to high-decibel sloganeering. Some of them were even howling as the proceedings went on. AIADMK, RJD and NCP members were seen standing at their seats.

As the ruckus continued during Question Hour, a visibly peeved Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said it is not proper to disturb other members and also warned the protesting members not to disrupt ministers when they were giving replies. “I am warning you, I will have to name you... I am again requesting you, this is not good, this is not proper, don’t disturb others,” she said.

While mentioning that they have been doing it for several days, Ms Mahajan said, “I have not prevented you but please don’t curb the rights of other members... Don’t come to this side (in front of Treasury benches). Don’t disrupt the Ministers who are replying to questions”.

Notices for adjournment motion mov-ed by the Opposition members were not allowed. Amid the din, the House was adjourned for a brief while till noon amid protests during the Question Hour, where as many as seven questions and supplementaries were taken up.