Ruckus in Parliament continues with protests by Trinamul.
New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha was on Thursday adjourned for the day following uproar by Trinamul members over the issue of the Assam National Register of Citizens (NRC). Trinamul members trooped into well of the House immediately after the upper House assembled post lunch, seeking a reply from Home Minister Rajnath Singh over the NRC matter. Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu gave an assurance that the Home Minister would give a reply.
However, Trinamul members continued their protest following which he adjourned the House for the day. When the House reassembled, Trinamul MP Derek O’Brien said he has given a notice under section 267 seeking reply of the home minister, to which Naidu said he has rejected it. The Trinamul leader said the party would not “allow Parliament to function as a BJP back garden!”
“This is parliament, not the BJP party office that only their chief will be allowed to speak... If Amit Shah wants to speak, he can speak in his fancy, very grand new office... In parliament, we want to hear the Home Minister,” he added. Speaking on the NRC issue, NCP President Sharad Pawar said, “The subject is very sensitive and is of national interest.” “Serious views were expressed and I think it is in the larger interest of the nation that we hear the home minister and know exactly what the government is doing,” he said.
While the chairman has allowed one member from each political party to speak and views of all major parties have been expressed, members from Assam have not been given an opportunity, Congress MP Ghulam Nabi Azad said. Naidu urged members to discuss the farmers' issue, which was slated for discussion. However, Trinamul members insisted on a reply from the Home Minister.
As the protests continued, Naidu adjourned the House, saying, “Everyday it has become a fashion. Let the country see what is happening here... You do not want to discuss even farmers’ issue”. The leaders pointed out that the issues raised are the ones sought by ruling party members. The house was being adjourned in accordance with the Chairman’s “whims and fancies”, some said.
