Opposition discontent in Rajya Sabha simmers, MPs consider writing to Venkaiah Naidu

NEW DELHI: Opposition parties are unhappy with Rajya Sabha chairperson M Venkaiah Naidu’s conduct of House proceedings this session and in meetings with him have alleged they were ‘denied the opportunities’ to raise matters of national importance.

The opposition alleges that Naidu gives ‘more space’ to ruling party members, does not accept Opposition’s notices for Calling Attention Motions and Short Duration Discussions, and adjourns the House at the slightest provocation.

“What the Rajya Sabha is witnessing is an unprecedented and unfortunate situation where the Opposition is being denied the legitimate right to raise issues concerning the nation,” Congress’ Anand Sharma told ET. The Opposition is likely to flag its grievances in the Business Advisory Committee meeting on Friday. Naidu, however, has emphasised during his interactions with the Opposition and in the House that he was going by rules and forced to act when the Opposition ‘refuses to cooperate’.


Congress leaders complained to Naidu that the notices they and other opposition parties submitted were not taken up. On July 26, Rajya Sabha took up a Calling Attention Motion moved by BJP member V Murleedharan on misuse of social media platforms. Opposition members said they had submitted a notice on the same issue but it was not accepted.

Notices on Short Duration Discussion on unemployment, increasing rapes and assault on women were also not accepted, they added.

On Wednesday, a Calling Attention Motion moved by Manoj Jha (RJD) on delay in release of socio-economic caste data was listed but not taken up as the House was adjourned. The Opposition also wanted to discuss farmers’ issues but a notice for a Short Duration Discussion moved by BJP chief Amit Shah on Thursday on “recent increase in minimum support price for kharif crops and challenges in agricultural sector” was listed.

Government sources said as per the rules the first notice received by the chairperson’s office is accepted and since Murleedharan and Shah submitted their notices first, they were given preference. A notice for a Short Duration Discussion on the State of the Economy by Sharma will be taken up next week, the source added. The Opposition is miffed that a discussion on the Andhra Pradesh special status issue is being treated as a Short Duration Discussion though TDP and other parties had wanted suspension of business to discuss it.