Our Correspondent /
Lalit Modi issue involving external affair minister Sushma Sawraj rocked the proceedings in the Rajya Sabha several times on the opening day of the Monsoon Session today. The House witnessed three adjournments as the Opposition Congress continued to insist on the resignation of the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swa
raj for her alleged involvement in helping Lalit Modi. The first adjournment came when the Congress members trooped into the well of the House in support of their demand.
Responding to this, Leader of the House and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the government is ready to discuss the issue. There was no change in the situation when the House re-assembled at noon. Mr Jaitley reiterated his suggestion for holding a discussion on the issue and there is no need for the opposition to press for it. He also said the External Affairs Minister is ready to make a statement. Chairman Mohammed Hamid Ansari observed that he will not allow any discussion during the question hour and adjourned the House till 2 PM for the third time amidst noisy scenes.
Union Minister Arun Jaitley has said the government feels that the opposition wants to disrupt the proceedings of Parliament. He was responding to the media query outside Parliament House about uproar in the Rajya Sabha. Mr. Jaitley told reporters outside Parliament that the government is ready for discussion in any format and at any time.