Rajya Sabha proceedings washed out as Congress creates ruckus over Nitin Gadkari row

NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha today failed to transact any business as Opposition Congress created ruckus, demanding resignation of Minister Nitin Gadkari in the wake of a CAG report that alleged irregularities involving loan extended to his family-linked Purti group.

The House saw repeated adjournments for six times before the final one at around 3.45 PM as uproar continued, with Congress members shouting slogans and trooping into the Well.

There were heated exchanges between Congress and ruling BJP memers, who raised questions over the moral authority of Congress to discuss corruption.

While the Congress pressed for Gadkari's resignation and stressed on accountability of ministers to Parliament, the BJP members shouted "Chor Machaye Shor (thief makes noise)".

Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said, "This is not a question of allegation against an individual MP or minister. This is a CAG report."

Noting that while BJP is talking about corruption and transparency in and outside the House and attacking previous UPA government on corruption issue, he said here is a case involving something for which he (Gadkari) had to resign as BJP President in past.

"This is a CAG report against a company he was heading. Having been indicted he cannot continue as a minister," the Congress leader said.

Deputy Leader of Congress Anand Sharma recalled that BJP, in 2012, had stalled Parliament for 23 days after leak of a CAG report, apparently referring to 2G spectrum allocation issue in which then Telecom Minister A Raja was the target.

"We do respect rule, we respect democracy, which your government does not respect... Since I have been reminded. Let met tell you that in 2012 on leaked CAG report, 23 days were disrupted," the former Union Minister said, while responding to criticism for stalling the House.

"In this House and the other, council of ministers are accountable. We have very recently established a precedent based on leaked CAG report. First, there should be accountability," Sharma said.

Apparently taking a dig at Modi, he said, "We are helping Prime Minister, who is for zero tolerance to corruption. Where is zero tolerance? We want that zero tolerance. You cannot have two standards. There cannot be double standards."

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, "Congress always talks about corruption. It seems it loves corruption. How can they misquote? The government is ready for discussion on corruption. We are ready for discussion on all issues."