The Rajya Sabha on Friday saw sharp exchanges between BJP and Opposition after Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said there was a feeling of despair in Congress. Agitated Congress and members of other parties protested terming the remarks as unparliamentary. They came into the well of the house leading to an adjournment. Naqvi later withdrew his remark and house resumed normal functioning.
The brief disruption took place in the zero hour when Naqvi, replying to Anand Sharma's (Congress) remark that there was frustration and despair among the youth and the country due to lack of jobs, said there was a sense of optimism in the country but if there is "fustration and disappointment" in that party, he cannot help it.
The Minister's remark irked Congress, SP and JD-U and many members of these parties demanded an apology from him and stormed into the well of the house. Deputy Chairman P J Kurien tried to restore order and then adjourned the proceedings for nearly 25 minutes at 11.35 am.
Raising the issue of unemployment in the country, Sharad Yadav (JD-U) said the Modi Government has failed to honour its promise to voters of creating two crore jobs annually. Endorsing his views, Sharma said it was serious matter and the situation is such that "there is frustration among the youth, jobs are not being created." Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M) too voiced his concern over the employment situation in the country.
When Naqvi refuted the claim and passed remark about Congress party leading to din, Yechury said the Minister should not have named the party. When the House reassembled after the disruption to take up the Question Hour, Naqvi maintained that he had not said anything unparliamentary but said he was withdrawing his remarks about the party.