New Delhi, Dec 21 (IANS): The Rajya Sabha's proceedings were disrupted again on Monday as Congress members demanded Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's resignation over alleged corruption in the DDCA.
The disruptions came despite an understanding reached on Friday at an all-party meeting on the passage of several pending bills. The first half of the day was lost to sloganeering and protests.
Soon after Rajya Sabha members agreed on the urgency of the juvenile justice bill in the morning, opposition leader Ghulam Nabi Azad raised the DDCA issue and mentioned Jaitley's alleged involvement.
Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien expunged his remarks.
Jaitley, who is also the leader of the house, said he was ready to respond to any charges vis-a-vis the Delhi and District Cricket Association - which he headed for years - and called for a discussion.
He said he had already taken legal recourse on the charges made against him outside parliament.
"I have absolutely no difficulty... Some people make allegations outside (parliament). I have taken legal recourse... Please waive off all rules and ask the leader of the opposition to start a discussion on any specific things against me. I will answer it right now," Jaitley said.
"I am not going to live by these vague statements. Let him (Azad) make any specific charge, I will answer it right now."
The Congress members, however, began raising slogans, prompting Jaitley to question: "Do I assume they have nothing to say?"
The house was then adjourned for 15 minutes.
When the house met again, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said a supplementary list of business will be brought to discuss the juvenile justice bill.
As the deputy chairman prepared to take up the zero hour mentions, Congress members started shouting slogans again.
The Congress members raised slogans, demanding Jaitley's resignation, displayed placards and trooped near the chairman's podium.
"Even when the finance minister says he is ready for a discussion, shouting of slogans is unjustified and unacceptable. This is most unfortunate," Kurien said before adjourning the house till 12 noon.
The scene repeated itself during question hour, and Chairman Hamid Ansari adjourned the house first till 12.30 p.m. and then till 2 p.m.