Pak remark sets tone for session
Venkaiah disallows Congress’ demand to discuss allegations by Modi against Manmohan
The winter session of Parliament began on a stormy note on Friday with the opposition demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his “conspiracy with Pakistan” remarks against his predecessor Manmohan Singh, creating uproar and repeatedly disrupting proceedings.
An angry Opposition led by the Congress accused Mr Modi of levelling “serious charges” against Singh, former Vice-President Hamid Ansari and diplomats.
Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu disallowed a notice by Congress and other opposition members under rule 267 for suspension of the business of the House to discuss the matter, which led to further noisy scenes.
The Upper House saw three adjournments before the Chair finally called it a day, a little after 3 pm following continued slogan-shouting.
The opposition members also protested the disqualification of former JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav and Ali Anwar of the same party from the House by the Chairman, which was vociferously countered by ruling party MPs.
As the members protested, Naidu said there cannot be any discussion on the decision of the Chair. “There is no discussion on the ruling of the chairman. Please sit down.”
“This is a political issue which you are raising, which you discuss outside the House. I have no problem,” he said, adding “this is not the manner .... All are standing... Both the sides are standing.. I have not allowed.”
As opposition members continued slogan-shouting and trooped into the Well, Naidu said “You want to do like this on the first day itself ? I don't appreciate the conduct of coming to the Well . ... There is a saying that all is well, not well.”
When the House reassembled at noon for Question Hour, leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad raised the issue of Modi’s remarks at an rally in Gujarat targeting Singh over a dinner meeting with Pakistani diplomats.
Meanwhile, the proceedings of the Lok Sabha on the first day of the Winter Session were adjourned after the House paid tributes to three sitting and seven former members who died during the intersession period.