Opposition-BJP clashes wash out first week's proceedings in Parliament

NEW DELHI: The first week of the monsoon session of Parliament was washed out, with both Houses failing to transact any business for the fourth consecutive day on Friday as the Opposition forced adjournments to press for the resignation of external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and Chief Ministers Vasundhara Raje and Shivraj Singh Chouhan of BJP-ruled Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

Chances of the deadlock over the Lalit Modi and Vyapam row being resolved and Parliament functioning smoothly appeared dim as both the government and the opposition remained firm on their stand on the two issues. But NDA ministers were confident that Congress and other parties will wear out by the middle of next week and work will resume in both Houses.

Efforts are on to break opposition unity, people familiar with the matter said. On Friday, minutes after the Lok Sabha met for the day, Congress members trooped into the Well of the House raising slogans and demanding action against Swaraj, Raje and Chouhan over the LaMo and Vyapam issues. With the Opposition unrelenting, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjour ned the House for the day.

Rajya Sabha was adjourned twice before the Chair announced that the House will meet on Monday. While the Opposition demanded that the beleaguered BJP leaders should quit first and a discussion take place after that, the government insisted that the notices given were for suspension of business and discussion on the two controversies.

The Upper House gave an extension till July 29 to the Anil Dave-headed Select Committee that is dealing with the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill, 2013.

With the two Houses getting adjourned, there was action outside as Congress lashed out at the BJP MPs who staged a protest outside Parliament House against the disruptive tactics of the Opposition and demanding action against some “corrupt” Congress chief ministers.

Meanwhile, a group of senior Congress MPs also complained to the office of the Speaker against the BJP moving a breach of privilege motion against Robert Vadra.