In a desperate search for an agenda to corner the Government, the Opposition aggressively flagged the black money issue on Tuesday and went all out to disrupt the proceedings on the first working day of Parliament. Facing the heat from the BJP in West Bengal, the TMC led the protest both inside and outside the Parliament and was joined by other parties, including the Congress.
Minutes after the lok Sabha assembled, members from the Trinamool Congress trooped to the Well holding black umbrellas with slogans like ‘bring back black money’ painted on them.
The Rajya Sabha also saw uproarious scenes over the issue. As soon as the House assembled for the day, members from the JD(U), Samajwadi Party and TMC were on their feet shouting slogans and waving papers attacking the Government on the black money issue.
The lower House was packed with action as TMC members were joined by the Congress, RJD, AAP and Samajwadi Party demanding a response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi as to when the black money will be brought back.
TMC, Congress, JD(U) and SP, who had given notices for discussion on black money, demanded the suspension of Question Hour in the lok Sabha. later, Opposition parties including the Congress, TMC and SP staged a walk out when the Government did not agree to their demands.
Amidst continuous slogan-shouting in the Well, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan warned the members against displaying umbrellas. The House took up two questions during the Question Hour but the reply was not audible in the din.
leader of Congress in lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge earlier pointed out that his party has given a notice for the suspension of Question Hour. But Speaker said it was against the rules though she was willing to accommodate a debate on black money under other rules.
SP president Mulayam Singh Yadav, who was sitting next to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, attempted to speak but could not be heard amid din.
The Speaker then adjourned the House for 40 minutes till noon. The House was thereafter again adjourned till 2 pm.
When the House gathered again at 2 pm, TMC MPs again gathered in the Well of the House shouting "Jabab tumko dena hoga, 130 din beet gaye, kala dhan kahan gaya, Jabab do, Jabab tumko dena hoga…Pradhanmantri jabab do".
In the middle of vociferous protests, Kharge intervened saying he met the Speaker in the morning and sought suspension of Question Hour and allow adjournment motion on the issue. Alleging that the BJP had defamed UPA-II on the black money issue, he sought a discussion on the issue.
At this point when Deputy-Speaker M Thambidurai was in the chair, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naiud said his Government was ready for a discussion the black money issue. "They want to do hangama," he said, adding "hamare zamane mein nahin hua, unke zamane mein hua, jawab unko dena hai…."
The Minister objected to TMC members taking Prime Minister's name saying he is in Nepal and his name should not be taken by the Opposition members. Naidu said let the House take the Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Bill, 2014, for consideration and thereafter the House would discuss black money.
TMC leader Sunil Bandopadhyay, standing in the Well of the House, was seen arguing with the Deputy Speaker, saying he had given a notice for discussion on the black money and had asked for suspension of the Question Hour.
When leaders from the treasury benches suggested that the Amendment Bill on CBI would allow leader of the Congress to be part of the panel selecting CBI director, Kharge retorted, "We are not here to beg for the post, we are here as the single biggest party."
Kharge asked why the Government was in so much hurry to pass the Bill. He said the Bill could be taken up on Wednesday and instead a discussion on black money could be permitted.
Responding to it, Naidu said since Kharge suggested there was no need to rush the Bill, the Government would pass it on Wednesday and "let others express their views" (on the Bill). All this while, TMC continued its noisy protest in the Well of the House.
After Naidu's comment, Opposition parties including the Congress and TMC staged a protest walk out.
In Rajya Sabha, Derek O'Brien (TMC) raised the issue after lunch saying, "The Government has made some assurances outside the House on bringing back black money. But no black money has come...There was a lot of hope on this issue, but the Government is not delivering. There has to be some structured discussion on this issue. This is not about one or two political parties but all the parties."
Responding to this, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the member raised an important issue and the Government "too is willing to discuss the issue" whenever the parties want in consultation with the Chairman.