Parliament could not transact any business for the third consecutive day on Wednesday due to noisy protests by members over issues, including the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, special package for Andhra Pradesh, constitution of Cauvery Management Board and incidents of vandalism of statues in various States.
Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu condemned these acts of vandalism and asked the authorities to take firm action. "Statues were vandalised. It's mad, whoever does it be it in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Tripura," he said. Several MPs from Opposition parties raised a din over the issue.
Members belonging to TDP, TMC, Congress and AIADMK rushed into the well raising slogans against PNB fraud, Cauvery issue and special category status to Andhra Pradesh. Naidu appealed to them to let the House run as he had allowed a discussion on the banking system as demanded by the Opposition. He also showed displeasure over some MPs displaying placards and banners in the well. Disapproving of the protests in the Well and raising of slogans, Naidu said such acts were "bad" and "against democracy." A short duration discussion was slated for Wednesday in the Upper House.
However, the agitating MPs did not relent thereby forcing the Chair to adjourn the proceedings till after lunch shortly after the House met for the day. Similar scenes were witnessed when the House met again in the afternoon and Deputy Chairman P J Kurien adjourned the House for the day.
The proceedings of the lok Sabha were also washed out for the third consecutive day over the same issues besides NDA ally Shiv Sena demanding classical language status for Marathi. Amid the din, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan asked Shiv Sena member Anandrao Adsul to speak on his demand. Adsul said that Marathi is an ancient language and fulfills all criteria to be given the classical language status.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who was present in the House, assured Adsul that the matter would be looked into.
The impasse in the lok Sabha over the PNB scam is likely to continue this week as a meeting convened by the Speaker for smooth functioning of the House remained inconclusive with the Opposition insisting on its demand for an adjournment motion. The opposition has also been insisting that the discussion be held under a rule which entails voting.
Since an adjournment motion disrupts the normal business of the house and is regarded as an extraordinary tool in parliament, governments are usually wary of accepting the demand.