Deadlock in Parliament for 3rd day as Govt, Oppn lock horns over Lalit Modi row, Vyapam

23 July, New Delhi

Parliament could not transact any legislative business for the third consecutive day today with the government and the opposition at loggerheads on Lalit Modi episode and Vyapam scam.

The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha witnessed uproarious scenes amid repeated adjournments as Congress continued to press for the resignation of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan had rejected notices given by several opposition members including Mallikarjun Kharge of the Congress for the suspension of the Question Hour to take up the issues. BJP Chief Whip Arjun Ram Meghwal wanted to move a privilege motion against businessman Robert Vadra and son-in-law of Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi for his Facebook posts on Parliamentarians.

Later, opposition members belonging to Congress, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and other parties trooped into the well of the House raising slogans. TRS members have been demanding the setting up of a separate High Court for Telangana. The House witnessed unprecedented noisy scenes forcing Speaker to adjourn the House till tomorrow.

The Rajya Sabha witnessed two adjournments in the pre-lunch session over Lalit Modi controversy. As the House met at 2 PM, Anand Sharma of the Congress again wanted to know from the Chair about the status of his notice on Lalit Modi issue. He wanted to know from the Chair that how a copy of his notice was with the Leader of House Arun Jaitley.

Deputy Chairman Prof. P J Kurien clarified that it is a part of the procedure and copies of all notices and other matters are given to Parliamentary Affairs Minister. Sitaram Yechuri of the CPI (M) alleged that Mr Jaitley had made certain remarks against him and they should be expunged from the records.

Responding to this, Prof. Kurien assured that he will go through the proceedings. Later, he adjourned the House for the day as noisy scenes continued.