Staff Reporter / New Delhi
The uproar over the Rafale aircraft deal and other issues again rocked Parliament today. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day, and the Lok Sabha till 2 PM.
As soon as the Rajya Sabha met for the day, opposition Congress members raked up Rafale yet again and rushed to the well, displaying placards in support of their demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the deal. AIADMK, DMK and TDP MPs also rushed to the well to draw government’s attention towards their various demands.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel accused Congress of disrupting proceedings adding that the government is ready for a discussion on Rafale. He said, he had not taken Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s name in the House yesterday as pointed out by party leader Anand Sharma.
Congress members took exception to mentioning of Mr Gandhi’s name as he is not a member of the Upper House.Responding to this, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said, he will go through the record.
As pandemonium continued, the Chairman adjourned the House till tomorrow. There were similar scenes in the Lok Sabha. As soon as the House re-assembled at noon after the first adjournment, Congress members again trooped into the well demanding a JPC probe into the Rafale deal.
Party leader Malliarjun Kharge alleged that there were irregularities in the deal leading to loss of public exchequer. He alleged that the government has given false information in the Supreme Court on the deal.
Mohammad Salim of CPI(M) echoed the same views demanding discussion on the issue.TMC member Sudip Bandopadhyay urged the Chair to listen to the demands of the parties to ensure the smooth functioning of the House.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narendra Singh Tomar rejected the demand of JPC probe. He however, assured that the government is ready for a detailed discussion on the issue. He said the Apex court has cleared all the air over the deal.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh also said the government is ready for discussion.
Meanwhile, AIADMK members sought to withdraw permission for Detailed Project Report for the proposed Mekedatu dam across River Cauvery. TDP members were also in the well seeking financial benefits for Andhra Pradesh.
Amidst continued noisy scenes, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan tried to run the Zero Hour but in vain. Later, she adjourned the House till 2 PM. Earlier, when the House met for the day, Congress, AIADMK and TDP members were in the well-raising slogans forcing the chair to adjourn the House till noon.
Some BJP members raised slogans against Congress President Rahul Gandhi for his allegations against the government on the deal.