The Congress on Friday went soft for a brief period in the Rajya Sabha but not before accusing the Government of creating a “perception” against the party that it has been stalling the proceedings for last three days in the wake of the National Herald case. In response, the ruling BJP-led dispensation said if the Congress wants to dispel this impression, then it should ensure that Parliament functions smoothly from Monday. Sources in the Congress, however, denied “any change in party’s strategy, and it will bounce back on Monday morning”.
The Congress along with other Opposition parties prevented Centre’s attempt to push the legislative business in the Rajya Sabha by insisting that the House should not run beyond 5 pm since it was Friday.
The party also continued with its protests in the lok Sabha against the “defamatory” comments of BJP member Virender Singh against its leaders and staged a walkout along with Trinamool, RJD and JD(U).
The Congress has been protesting for past two days against the “objectionable, derogatory and defamatory” remarks by Virendra Singh on Rahul Gandhi and the rest of Nehru-Gandhi family.
Elaborating the reasons for stalling Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said “from the government side, it has been presented that Congress is not allowing Parliament to function due to National Herald case. I have clarified twice. Neither print media nor TV took note of this. Stalling of Parliament is not related to the National Herald case in court. This is the impression created. I have clarified earlier,” Azad said. Azad mentioned the proceedings were stalled due to the ‘dog’ remark by Union Minister V K Singh.
Stating the Monsoon Session too did not function smoothly due to various reasons, Azad said, “The last session was washed out due to issues relating to chief ministers of Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. We wanted action. But action was not taken. We wanted some action to be taken against the concerned person. No notice, no action has been taken. ...You take action against parties like TMC and NCP,” he added.
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Muktar Abbas Naqvi said, “The leader of Opposition talks about perception been created. But that perception exists. You better set that perception right. If you want to dispel the impression that this is not due to National Herald case, let the House run smoothly from Monday.”
On the other hand, Opposition led by Congress prevented Centre’s attempt to push the legislative business in Rajya Sabha by insisting that the House should not run beyond 5 pm since it was Friday. Government tried to reason out but finally agreed to the opposition demand for taking up the Government business next week after which the House was adjourned for the day.
Deputy leader of Congress in Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma said it being a Friday, many members have booked their tickets for their weekend trip to home and hence the House should not extend its business beyond 5 pm. Government said the opposition seems unwilling to allow the government business and if the issue is about timing, at least one bill should be passed in half an hour. However, the Opposition members remained adamant and asked the leader of House Arun Jaitley to agree to the demand. After some sharp exchanges, the Government finally gave in to the Opposition’s demand.
“I am ready and happy to end on happy note on hope that from Monday we will start functioning smoothely. I request everyone to support and stand united,” Deputy Chairman Rajya Sabha P J Kurien said. The Opposition, however, allowed the Government to withdraw The Commercial Courts, Commercial Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts Bill, 2015.