Pumped up after the 2G telecom scam verdict, the Congress on Thursday vociferously demanded in the Rajya Sabha an explanation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling BJP on the issue and charged it with propagating “false propaganda” to come to power in 2014.
The house did not function as the main Opposition party also sought a clarification from the Prime Minister for his remarks against his predecessor Manmohan Singh during an election rally recently in Gujarat. This matter also came up in the lok Sabha and the Congress staged a walkout to register its protest.
The Rajya Sabha saw a determined Congress not willing to relent as soon as the proceedings began for the day after leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad raised the 2G verdict and seeking an explanation from the Prime Minister. The ruling and Opposition benches then engaged in a slanging match with Congress members trooping into the well forcing Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu to adjourn the House till 2 pm.
Raising the issue, Azad said his party since last week was seeking a clarification from the Prime Minister on his remarks against Manmohan Singh. However, with the 2G verdict coming, the ruling combine and the Prime Minister should now clarify on this issue. He was expected to attend the Question Hour as questions pertaining to Prime Minister’s Office(PMO) come up on Thursday.
Charging the BJP for “false propaganda” on the alleged scam against then UPA Ministers and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Azad then remarked on the basis on these allegations “you are there (treasury benches) and we are here (Opposition).” After the acquittal of all the accused, “we want to ask where did all the allegations (of scam) go,” the Congress leader said.
Naidu said he was not allowing Azad’s submission as he had not given any notice and asked members to return to their seats. But Congress members were in no mood to oblige the Chair and rushed to the Well raising slogans against Modi and the BJP. The Chairman then cited a May 22, 1990 ruling of then Rajya Sabha Chairman Shankar Dayal Sharma that the Chair’s ruling on not allowing suspension of a Question Hour or allowing a discussion is final.
“Democracy means working according to rules (and) not shouting,” he said.
However, the Congress members were adamant and kept shouting slogans after returning to their seats from the well after Azad persuaded them to do following Naidu’s direction. When deputy leader of the Congress Anand Sharma tried to raise a point, Naidu snapped at him saying it was not good for a deputy leader of the party to defy the Chair. As the Congress members continued to shout slogan, Naidu then adjourned the proceedings. Normally, the Chair, in case of disruptions in the first hour of the sitting, adjourns proceedings till noon.