The Rajya Sabha on Tuesday was marred by disruptions and adjournments following protests by the SP and other opposition members over reported stopping of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav at the Lucknow airport to prevent him from a function at the Allahabad University. The morning session of the Upper House was functioning smoothly when SP leader Ramgopal Yadav tried to raise the issue. Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu did not allow him leading to protests forcing the Chair to adjourn the house. Similar scenes were witnessed in the afternoon before it was adjourned for the day.
The trouble started in the first half after as many as 15 members had made Zero Hour mention on matters of public importance. In fact, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said the government and the opposition had the constitutional obligation of passing the motion of thanks to the President’s address and the general budget. He urged all to participate in the discussion as only two days were left before the budget session ends on Wednesday.
It set the tone with members from various parties flagging issues of public importance. However, after about half an hour SP members tried to raise the issue of their chief getting stopped at the Lucknow airport and Naidu saying he cannot allow them to raise the issue as they have not given notice. But the agitated SP members did not relent and Naidu then adjourned the house till two pm.
Akhilesh Yadav was stopped at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow by police in a bid to prevent him from visiting Allahabad to attend an oath-taking ceremony of a student leader at
Allahabad University, SP members said. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had told reporters in Lucknow that the step was taken on the request of the university as there was apprehension that Yadav’s visit could trigger violence on the campus.
When the Rajya Sabha re-assembled at two pm, members of SP, BSP, TMC and RJD continued their protests following which the House was adjourned till 2:35 PM. As soon as the House met again at 2:35 PM, members from various opposition parties trooped into the Well protesting against the incident involving Akhilesh Yadav.
Deputy Chairman Harivansh tried to pacify the members and urged them to go back to their seats.
However, opposition members did not oblige him and continued their protests, following which he adjourned the house till Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the government introduced two bills - the International Financial Services Center Authority Bill 2019 and Cinematography (amendment) Bill 2019. International Financial Services Center Authority Bill 2019 was moved by Minister of State for Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla. The Cinematography (amendment) bill 2019 was moved by Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore.
Earlier in the day while welcoming Azad’s plea for smooth functioning of the house, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel said the government was agreeable to the suggestion of discussion the Motion of Thanks and the budget. “We can extend the session if there is an agreement in the House” to discuss the six bills that are listed for taking up after the Motion of Thanks is passed and the Budget approved, he said. However, his suggestion did not seem to have found favour with members.