AMN /
The issue of National Herald continued in the Rajya Sabha for the third day today with Congress members protesting against the government. The agitating members repeatedly rushed to the well of the House shouting slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The House was adjourned for four times till 2 PM today. When the House re-assembled at 1230 hours after its third adjournment, Congress members again trooped into the well raising slogans.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said Congress members have been hijacking the House by disrupting its proceedings. Earlier, several ministers including Communication Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad informed the Chair that the government is ready for discussion on all issues. He said the agitating members are running away from debate. Chairman Mohammed Hamid Ansari adjourned the House till 2 PM after his repeated requests failed to pacify the Congress members.
The Congress and TMC today staged a walkout in the Lok Sabha in protest of the alleged derogatory remarks by BJP member against the Congress leaders. During the zero hour, Congress member Mallikarjun Kharge requested the Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to ask the BJP member Virendra Singh to seek unconditional apology for his remarks.
Saugata Roy of TMC also urged the Speaker to ask Mr Singh to tender his apology in the House. The Speaker gave the ruling that she has already expunged the remarks what Mr Singh had made yesterday and she cannot force any member for apology. She also said, what Mr Singh had said is not appropriate. Not satisfied with the ruling of Speaker, the Congress and TMC staged a walkout.
Parliamentary Affairs Venkaiah Naidu said, it is the responsibility of both the ruling party and the opposition to ensure smooth functioning of Parliament as several bills including GST have to be passed. He also expressed concern over throwing of papers at the Chair by Congress members while shouting slogan in the well yesterday.
Bhartruhari Mahtab of BJD also expressed concern over the incident. Mr Mahtab also expressed his reservation about passing of bills in the din and requested the government not to do so in future. Mr Naidu also said, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will give a statement on her recent visit to Pakistan in the House tomorrow.
The proceedings in the Lok Sabha were smooth after the walk out by Congress and TMC during Zero Hour. The House assembled for the day, Congress members sought adjournment, which was rejected by the Speaker. Congress members trooped into the well seeking action by the Chair against the BJP member Virender Singh for his alleged derogatory remarks. Later, the House was adjourn for lunch break.