Telugu Desam Party (TDP) members on Monday raised a ruckus in the Rajya Sabha forcing an adjournment and shouting slogans besides coming into the well during the Question Hour. A visibly upset Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu, however, persisted with the ministers answering to questions and ordered stopping of live telecast of proceedings for about 15 minutes.
The Chair repeatedly said he had allowed a discussion as demanded by the TDP last week on the issue of granting special status to Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday under rule 176. However, the TDP now seeking the debated under Rule168 was not permitted, Naidu said.
The TDP members led by CM Ramesh did not relent forcing an adjournment for about 40 minutes during the Zero Hour and then raising slogans during the Question Hour. As they continued with their protest, Naidu quipped “only voice will go, noise will not go” adding all other MPs were keen to let the Question Hour function.
As the ruckus continued, the Chair said nothing else (apart from listed proceedings) will go on record. “Please take note, neither the electronic media, nor the print media.” Following this, the live telecast was stopped for about 15 minutes.
Earlier, when the House had assembled for the day, TDP members led by Y S Chowdary and Ramesh were up on their feet as soon as listed papers were laid on the table of the House and Zero Hour commenced.
The Chairman said their notice has been converted into a short-duration discussion which would be taken up on Tuesday. Naidu said he was willing for a discussion on the issue last week itself but TDP leaders wanted it to be slated for Monday and then they had sought its listing on July 24.
Before the Zero Hour was adjourned, Anand Sharma(Congress) charged the government with misusing the central investigative agencies for targeted political vendetta leading to atmosphere of distrust, fear and terror.
He alleged parallel proceedings for one alleged offence were being conducted simultaneously by the Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI), Enforcement Directorate and Revenue Intelligence.
However, he did not refer to any particular case.
These remarks led to protests from treasury benches with Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel stating that Sharma was trying to demoralise the probe agencies. Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said legal avenues were available for individual grievances.
Sharma, however, went on to say the agencies have a mandate to investigate an offence but it cannot be “abused,” and sought a statement from the government on the issue. Goel said the agencies cannot function if their working is discussed in Parliament. “The law is doing its job, please allow them to do that,” the Minister said.