Face of Nation : After conducting business in an exemplary manner to pass seven bills (all in force as ordinance) in 13 uninterrupted days, the Rajya Sabha, for the first time in this session, came to a grinding halt on Tuesday owing to disruptions by the Opposition parties.
The Opposition, apparently, was angry with the government that despite their cooperation, it did not agree to take up discussions on subjects that it thought were important. TMC leader Derek O’Brien took to twitter to criticise the government for taking opposition for granted.
“7 Bills passed this #ParliamentSession in 13 days. All 7 were (emergency, sic) Ordinances. All 7 were not sent for any legislative scrutiny. Worse still, Govt snatching the ‘credit’. Taking #ConstructiveOpposition for granted, are you!” he said.
As soon as the house convened, the Congress members blamed the ruling BJP in the Centre for instigating a rebellion within the Congress-JDS coalition government in Karnataka. When chairman of the house, M Venkaiah Naidu, refused to entertain Congress’s plea to have an urgent discussion under rule 267 on the Karnataka political crisis and instead raise the matter during zero hour, the members stormed into the well shouting slogans against the central government.
Members of the Trinamool Congress too followed suit protesting against on government’s decision to disinvest 42 public sector undertakings (PSUs) and have a discussion on the matter. When Naidu refused to entertain their plea saying that the discussion had already taken place during the zero hour earlier, they also trooped into the well.
Naidu tried to reason out with the agitating members and even praised them. “You can discuss this issue during the discussion on Budget. For thirteen days, we have functioned very effectively. People are happy. They are appreciating the work done by Rajya Sabha,” said Naidu.
But he soon gave up. “If you have decided to disturb it, then, the House is adjourned to meet at 12 o’clock.”
The House proceedings met the same fate when it re-assembled at 12 PM and then again at 2 PM.
