Leader of opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad (File photo)

NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha was adjourned thrice and could not transact any business on Tuesday over the opposition’s demand for a debate on the recent riots in Delhi. Leader of opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad wondered aloud why the government was adopting double standards by claiming on one hand that the situation in Delhi was normal but insisting that a discussion could not be allowed at present.

Despite Om Birla’s warning on Tuesday morning — that any MP crossing to the other side would be suspended for the remainder of the session — the Lok Sabha witnessed dramatic scenes with Congress ’s Adhir Ranjan Choudhury rushing to the well to protest against transaction of legislative business.

The Speaker had tried to resolve the standoff when he met opposition leaders in the afternoon. Though non-Congress opposition parties seemed ambivalent, Choudhury is understood to have stuck to his guns. Parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi sought to point out that the bill in question needed to be passed before March 31 as it had serious financial implications.

In the Rajya Sabha, Azad said, “All of us, whether in the opposition or government, condemn the incidents. That Delhi violence is talked about in foreign countries but not discussed even though Parliament is in session... is a little odd. We are not looking to confront the government. We are all saddened; the victims, be it from any community or religion, were fellow humans,” he said.

Leader of the House Thaawarchand Gehlot got up and said the government was ready for a discussion as per the schedule decided by the Rajya Sabha chairman.

In the LS, amid slogans of ‘Down, Down Amit Shah ’ and ‘Save our India’, opposition MPs tore up papers even as the Speaker allowed finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman to introduce the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2020. Though the LS passed six clauses of the ‘Vivad se Vishwas’ tax resolution bill amid the din, it could not pass the bill because of the ruckus that followed. As Congress, TMC, SP and DMK MPs rushed to the well, BJP MP Locket Chatterjee attempted to prevent Chowdhury from moving towards the treasury benches. Amid the din, BJP and Congress MPs pushed one another while some were seen banging the swivel door leading to the secretary general’s desk.

