The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday witnessed repeated adjournments over missing coal-block allocation files with the BJP creating a ruckus accusing the government of a cover up and targeted the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. The treasury benches meanwhile raised the Vanzara issue demanding Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi’s resignation. Earlier, the SP and BSP also created ruckus over reservation in promotions while the TDP members continued their protest displaying banners against the division of Andhra Pradesh.
The Upper House was adjourned four times in the pre-lunch sitting because of slogan shouting from both ruling and the Opposition benches.
As soon as the House met for the day, some Congress members were on their feet displaying banners that read “Chief Minister Gujarat Must Resign” in the wake of charges levelled by suspended IPS officer D.G. Vanzara.
To counter the Congress members, BJP MPs led by Ravi Shankar Prasad raised the issue of CBI investigating officer reportedly wanting to question the Prime Minister in connection with the controversial coal block allocations when he held the charge of coal ministry between 2006 and 2009. SP members raised the issue of giving reservation in promotions in government jobs. BSP members too shouted slogans but nothing could be heard in the din. While the BSP and SP rushed into the well of the House, TDP members raised banners against division of Andhra Pradesh.The house witnessed four adjournments in the pre-noon session.
After noon, the situation was no different. Mr Kurien tried to take up the Land Acquisition Bill, but Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP) kept raising the issue of missing coal block allocation files. Alleging that the Prime Minister was “economical with truth”, he charged him with trying to “cover-up” in his statement in Parliament on Tuesday. As the Opposition members did not relent ,, the treasury benches countered them by demanding Mr Modi’s resignation over charges levelled by Mr Vanzara. Mr Kurein, who was in the Chair, adjourned the House till 12:30 pm. When the House met again, similar scenes were witnessed, forcing the Chair to adjourn it till 2 pm. Even after the House was adjourned, slogan shouting and acrimonious exchanges between the two sides continued.