New Delhi, Nov 17 (PTI): A united opposition's relentless demand for a debate on demonetisation under a rule which entails voting today forced the adjournment of the Lok Sabha for the day as the government refused to accept it.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said the government was willing to debate the issue under Rule 193, which does not entail voting, as it did not want two voices to emerge from Parliament, drawing incessant protests from the opposition.
As opposition parties refused to budge, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned proceedings for the day after a 25-minute adjournment earlier. The House was adjourned for the yesterday as a mark of respect for a sitting member who had passed away in August.
As soon as the House met, Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandhyopadhyay said his party wanted to move an adjournment motion.
Leader of the Congress party in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said his party too wanted to move a similar motion to discuss the "hardship being faced by the people and the economic disruption and the failure of the government to redress the plight of the people."
He said another issue his party wanted to flag was the "leakage" of the information on demonetisation before it came into force.
The Question Hour between 1100 hours and noon went on amid continued vociferous protests and sloganeering by opposition members, including those from Congress, TMC, the Left, SP and RJD. Members of some other parties, including AIADMK, were also seen in the aisle.
"We all want a discussion under the Rule 56 so that we can know what is the stand of all parties when they vote. Then everyone will participate," Kharge said.
Kumar insisted that people at large are with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision on demonetisation.
"They want black money, fake currency... to be finished. We want cooperation from you. We are ready to discuss. We do not want two voices to emerge from Parliament," he said.
Bandhopadhyay said opposition parties were together. "We are in a mood to censure the government," he said.
Soon after the Question Hour, the Speaker said she had disallowed all the adjournment notices, including one moved by BJP ally SAD. Mahajan said she was ready to allow a discussion but not amid such a din and added that all parties will have to decide on its modalities.
RJD's Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav also pressed for an adjournment motion. The Parliamentary Affairs Minister said the government was ready to discuss at length the "historic" decision by suspending the Question Hour but under Rule 193 where there is no formal motion or voting.
He said all political parties are against black money, corruption and fake currency.Rejecting the suggestion, members of Congress, TMC, RJD and Left parties rushed to the Well shouting slogans. AIADMK members to entered the Well, but were raising slogans demanding release of Cauvery water by Karnataka for Tamil Nadu.
As opposition mmbers raised slogans like "Pradhan Mantri jawab do..." and "shame-shame", the Speaker continued with the Question Hour.
Earlier news
Oppn protests force two adjournments of Rajya Sabha till noon
New Delhi, Nov 17 (PTI): Opposition parties led by Congress today forced two adjournments in the Rajya Sabha in the pre-noon session demanding a response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the hardships caused to people by demonetisation of 500 and 1000 rupee notes.
Slogan-shouting Congress and AIADMK members trooped into the Well, forcing Deputy Chairman P K Kurien to first adjourn the House till 1130 hours and again then till noon.
Soon after the House mourned the passing away of Swaminarayan sect head Pramukh Swami Shastri Narayan Swarup Das, TMC's Derek O'Brien was up on his feet.
As Deputy Chairman P J Kurien allowed O'Brien to make his submission, slogan shouting AIADMK members trooped into the Well raising slogans demanding that Karnataka release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
They however went back to their seats after Kurien assured that he will allow their leader A Navaneethakrishnan to speak after the TMC leader.
All hell broke lose when Derek asked where the Prime Minister was when the House discusses hardships and inconvience caused by the decision to withdraw old 500 and 1000 rupee notes.
"The person who made the (demonetisation) announcement at 8 o'clock on November 8, where is he," he said.
Treasury benches countered him vociferously with even Ministers including I&B Minister M Venkaiah Naidu rising to counter the demand.
At this point, Congress members trooped into the Well of the House shouting "Pradhan Mantri Jawab do" (Prime Minister, reply)."
Kurien said the discussion on demonetisation was going on smoothly. "If Finance Minister is available, that is enough," he said.
The discussion, which was initiated after suspending listed business of the day yesterday, could be resumed if the House is in order, he said. "We can start discussion now," he said.
At this point, AIADMK members also trooped into the Well shouting slogans, forcing Kurien to adjourn the House till 1130 hours.
There was no change in the scenario in the House when it reassembled at 1130 hours. AIADMK members again trooped into the Well, followed by their Congress counterparts.
BSP chief Mayawati was seen standing her seat as were several members of SP and Left parties.
Naidu rose to make a statement but he could not be heard in the din caused by AIADMK and Congress members in the Well. Kurien expunged certain references to the Prime Minister made by some opposition members.
"Prime Minister cannot be referred to like that. Reference to Prime Minister is expunged," he said, as he tried to pacify members raising slogans in the Well. "I don't know why are you shouting," Kurien said.
As his efforts to bring order in the House did not bear fruit, Kurien adjourned the House till noon.