Congress' noisy protests washout Rajya Sabha proceedings

NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha proceedings were washed out again today as Congress protested over the suspension of its 25 members in Lok Sabha, shouting slogans against the "dictatorial" attitude of the government.

The Upper House met barely for a few minutes as it was repeatedly adjourned because of ruckus and Deputy Chairman P J Kurien called it a day minutes past 2 pm.

The Upper House has failed to transact any significant business so far during the Monsoon Session since it began on July 21.

Protesting Congress members continued to raise slogans against the government's "dictatorial" attitude and trooping into the Well, forcing two adjournments in the pre-lunch session and then finally till tomorrow, attracting strong rebukes from the Chair.

Slogans like " Modi government is corrupt", "We want justice" and "Dictatorship by Modi will not be allowed" were vociferously raised by the opposition members.

After repeated pleas by Kurien went unheeded, he said, "this is nothing but indiscipline. Because of the unruly behaviour of some of the members, I am forced to adjourn the House."

He continuously asked with them to take their seats and allow discussion to take place. "It will not take you anywhere," he said, lamenting that "Parliament is for discussion and debate and not for slogans."

As Congress members continued with their slogan-shouting, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi asked the Chair to allow the business to continue.

"Let the business in the House be allowed to carry on. Let them raise slogans," he said.

Kurien directed that the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act 2013 be moved for consideration of the House.

In the absence of Minister of State Jitendra Singh, his colleague and Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy moved the bill, amid protests by some opposition members that no permission of the Chair has been taken.