BJP veteran lK Advani again on Thursday expressed deep anguish in the lok Sabha over the continued derailment of the House proceedings and went on to say that he “felt like resigning”. While Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said she understands his “pain” and decried the disturbances caused by members, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said the veteran leader was “fighting for democratic values” within his party.
Shortly after the House was adjourned for the day, the 89-year-old BJP leader said, “I feel like resigning” even as pandemonium prevailed, with both sides scaling up their attack on each other and not lowering their combative mood.
Advani articulated his disappointment with the persistent disruption of the House soon after the Speaker adjourned it at about 12:20 hours as the two sides could not agree on how a discussion should be started on the demonetisation issue.
This was despite both the sides claiming that they were “ready for a discussion.”
The senior BJP parliamentarian, who remained seated in his front-row seat, first aired his feelings to Union Minister Smriti Irani, who in turn drew the attention of Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh standing nearby.
Advani was heard telling the Home Minister to convey to the Speaker that she should ensure the House runs on Friday to have a discussion on the note ban.
“If it does not happen and Parliament is adjourned sine die without discussion (on demonetisation), it will be considered a washout,” he also told Idris Ali (TMC) and two other BJP MPs, including Nana Patole.
He was heard saying that talks should be held with the Opposition, especially Congress, on ensuring a smooth debate on Friday, the last day of the Winter Session.
While Advani’s second outburst within a week caused consternation to the Treasury Benches, the Congress gloated over the episode and Rahul stepped in to cash in on it.
“Thank you Advani ji for fighting for democratic
values within your party,” tweeted Rahul Gandhi, who
had earlier accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being “autocratic”.
Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said Advani is “clearly berating his own party” and not the Congress, as is being “twisted” by the BJP.
Blaming the Opposition for disruptions in Parliament, Information and Broadcasting Minister and senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu said the Congress was adopting “spit and run” tactics to divert attention from real issues.
“Everybody is sad. The way Parliament is not being allowed to function, all countrymen are sad. We are also sad. What to do if some people are deliberately not allowing Parliament to function. It is a known fact who is rushing to the Well of the House,” Naidu told reporters outside Parliament when asked to comment on Advani’s remark.
Reacting to Advani’s “anguish”, lok Sabha Speaker said she understands his “pain” and decried the disturbances caused by members.
“I understand Advaniji’s pain,” Mahajan said while releasing a book on former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar here. With Advani in the audience, the Speaker said Parliament is meant to be a forum for healthy debates and it is the duty of MPs to engage in discussion rather than disruptions.
The reality is, however, opposite when the proceedings are not running as per the expectations, she said.