Parliament standoff continues for eighth day

The standoff in Parliament over a joint Parliamentary probe into the alleged irregularities in the 2G spectrum allocation continued today with the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha adjourning till noon following uproar.

As soon as the Lok Sabha met for the day, opposition members including those from the Bharatiya Janata Party, Biju Janata Dal, Janata Dal (United), Samajwadi Party were in the well demanding setting up of a Joint Parliamentary Committee to probe reports of irregularities in allocation of 2G spectrum.

The Opposition members were countered by those from the treasury benches who waved placards demanding the resignation of Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa over corruption charges.

Some Congress members almost rushed to the well with placards and raised slogans. They were asked to retreat to the aisles by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal.

Trinamool Congress members were seen waving the list of questions signalling their willingness for continuance of the normal business of the House.

The sloganeering and counter-sloganeering continued for a while and Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned the House till noon.

In the Rajya Sabha, Opposition members trooped rushed to the well soon after Chairman Hamid Ansari completed obituary references.

Congress members too moved into the aisles demanding sacking of the Karnataka Chief Minister over alleged land scam in the state.

While opposition members shouted “We Want JPC”, members in the treasury benches held placards reading “Sack Yeddyurappa“.

AIADMK members held copies of a magazine carrying a cover story on former Telecom Minister A. Raja’s alleged role in the irregularities in allocation of 2G telecom spectrum.

Mr. Ansari took up the first listed question of the day and asked members not to display any banners.

“No raising of posters,” he said, but the protesting members were adamant, forcing him to adjourn the House till 1200 hours.

The Question Hour was taken up in the Lok Sabha only on November 9, the first day of the winter session, while the Rajya Sabha had adjourned for the day as a mark of respect to a sitting member.

Since November 10, Parliament has not seen transaction of any significant business and both the Houses have been witnessing adjournments barely minutes after meeting.