The Monsoon Session of Parliament, which commenced on July 18 has been a complete washout so far over a torrent of Opposition’s protest on a range of issues and the confrontation over Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury comment against president Droupadi Murmu, may finally see some order next week.
Efforts are on to find a solution next-week to run Parliament without obstruction and hold discussions on price rise on Monday.
A number of Bills have been passed without any discussion in the absence of Opposition presence and frequent adjournments. The suspension of 27 Opposition MPs from the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha for unruly actions has made the matters worse for reconciliation between the two sides as the Opposition is insistent that these suspension must be withdrawn.
According to sources, a discussion on the price-rise and imposition of the GST on some essential items is expected to be held on Monday. The Government has been holding that it was ready for discussion “right away” but the Opposition was demanding a discussion by suspending the “question hour” to which the BJP was not ready for.
“A solution is expected next week,” sources said, adding a positive decision may also be reached on revoking suspension of Opposition members.
A day after the BJP confronted the Congress over its leader Chowdhury’s “Rashtrapatni” remark against President Murmu, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha proceedings were again adjourned for the day on Friday amid protests and counter protests over the same issue.
The BJP again demanded apology from Congress president Sonia Gandhi for allegedly “sanctioning” humiliation of Murmu.
The lower House proceedings were first adjourned till 12 noon. Similar scenes were witnessed when the House re-assembled at 12 noon leading to adjournment for the day. Similar scenes prevailed in the Rajya Sabha, too.
In the lower House, Congress members were in the Well of the House raising slogans against the Government, while BJP members and Union Ministers, including Sarbananda Sonowal were on their feet demanding an apology from Sonia.
Chowdhury, who is the leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, said he never intended to disrespect the President and his “Rashtrapatni” remark was a “slip of the tongue”.
As the uproar continued, BJP member Rajendra Agarwal, who was in the chair, allowed the laying of Parliamentary papers and adjourned the proceedings till Monday.
The Rajya Sabha proceedings too were adjourned for close to an hour after uproarious scenes by both opposition and Treasury benches over different issues.
While the Opposition parties pressed for a discussion on the hooch tragedy in Gujarat as well as the record rise in prices of essential commodities, BJP MPs were up on their feet shouting slogans seeking Sonia’s apology over her party leader’s remarks on the President.
Amid slogan shouting, Deputy Chairman Harivansh adjourned the proceedings till 12 noon.
At the start of the day, official papers were laid on the table of the House, following which Harivansh said the chairman has not accepted notices under Rule 267 over issues of price rise and Agnipath scheme as a discussion on inflation is slated in the House next week and other issues have been allowed to be raised through Zero Hour mentions.
A notice under Rule 267 calls for suspension of the business of the day to take up a discussion on the issue being pressed.
Opposition MPs were not satisfied with the ruling and started raising the issue of the rising prices of essential commodities.
Shaktisinh Gohil of the Congress trooped into the Well of the House raising the issue of the hooch tragedy in Gujarat.
As his colleagues followed him, BJP MPs were up on their feet shouting slogans seeking an apology from Sonia over remarks by Chowdhury.