SIXTH STRAIGHT DAY OF WASHOUT

Parliament remained paralysed for the sixth consecutive day on Monday as the pandemonium that washed out last week’s business continued as the opposition parties and the ruling NDA’s ally Telugu Desam Party and AIADMK created ruckus from the well of both the Houses. Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu adjourned the House up to 2 pm in view of the ruckus from the well and then the House was adjourned by the deputy chairman for the day in view of the noisy scenes. FACE TO FACE: In an interesting development, Congress President Rahul Gandhi stepping out of Parliament’s gate No 4 came face to face with BJP President Amit Shah just entering. Only three days ago, Rahul had said he would hug even his bitterest critic but that did not happen as both pretended not to see each other, not even exchanging smile. Both, however, had smile on their face as they turned their heads to skip any eye contact. Unlike Rahul’s declaration that he does not believe in hating the rivals, Amit Shah is on record at a conclave in Mumbai las week: “It’s true that the relationship with (Gandhis) is not good. As far as I am concerned, it is not good. I do not know about them.”

Biju Janata Dal’s Bhraruhari Mahtab tried to block the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill on the ground that it violated the citizens’ fundamental right by enunciating the premise of ‘guilty till proven innocent.’ His objection was, however, lost in the din as the Speaker admitted the Bill.