The Rajya Sabha did not function for the eight consecutive day on Thursday. Opposition members say the government has failed to make any effort to run the House, and many point the finger at Chairman Venkaiah Naidu.

The BJP is not ready to resolve the issues, the Congress has alleged. “We have the most irresponsible government in this country. It is the government’s duty to ensure that Parliament functions smoothly, and if there are dissension, it is for the government to talk to [leaders of] the Opposition and sort out the issues. Instead, it is depending on the Chairman; it is very unfortunate in a democratic set-up,” Congress MP B.K. Hariprasad said.

Calling the disruptions suspect, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Manoj Jha said it needed to be questioned who would benefit from a dysfunctional Parliament. “Each disruption should be seen from the perspective of who the beneficiary is. The beneficiary here is the BJP. It has no answer in the issues of the Rafale deal, agrarian distress or the bleeding economy, as a result of which disruptions are created,” he said. Mr. Venkaiah Naidu alone could not be blamed since it was the BJP that was carrying placards in the House to stall it.

However, NCP leader Majeed Memon questioned Mr. Naidu’s decision to adjourn the House within 10 minutes of its convening. “At 11.00 a.m., when the House assembles, if there are agitations by a few members, the Chairman is not expected to respond by immediately adjourning the House,” he said. Instead, he should call leaders of the ruling party, the Opposition parties and the dissenting party to pacify them.

M. Kanimozhi of the DMK said that though the Central Water Commission’s approval for Karnataka to start a detailed project report on a dam across the Cauvery at Mekedatu was a significant issue, it could not overshadow the everything else. The AIADMK has been protesting in the House for the last eight days. “The government has to sort it out; nothing is being done,” she said.

AIADMK Rajya Sabha member V. Maitreyan said Parliament is the best platform to air grievances. “If the government withdraws the order, we will stop our protests,” he said.

But the BJP insists it is ready for a debate on all issues, including Rafale, and it has important legislation to get through the Rajya Sabha, including The Triple Talaq Bill. “We are ready for all discussions; in fact, today we gave a notice for a discussion on the Rafale issue. Many parties that are part of the UPA are the ones that are storming the well of the House. We are continuously talking to every one concerned,” it said.