Parliament paralysed as deadlock over FDI persists

Deadlock over the government's decision to allow FDI in retail paralysed Parliament for the fourth day on Wednesday, with a united opposition joined by United Progressive Alliance partners Trinamool Congress and Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam disrupting proceedings, demanding a rollback of the controversial decision.

With formal and back-channel talks between government leaders and their opposition counterparts failing to make any breakthrough, both Houses of Parliament were adjourned within minutes of assembly and then for the day.

The winter session, which began last Tuesday, has not transacted virtually any business, as logjam over several issues, including price rise, corruption and black money, demand for a separate Telangana and safety of the Mullaperiyar dam, continued through seven working days.

The opposition parties have made it clear that they will not allow Parliament to function till the government heeds to their demands -- either a rollback of the decision to allow 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail and 100 per cent FDI in single brand retail or acceptance of their adjournment motion on the issue under rules which entail voting.

After the first adjournment during Question Hour, both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned till Thursday amid the uproar created by vociferous opposition members and MPs of Trinamool Congress and DMK raising slogans, with many of them moving into the Well.

Some members of the ruling Congress as also of the Telugu Desam Party in the Lok Sabha waved placards demanding creation of a separate Telangana state.

Trinamool Congress members were seen waving placards and raising slogans against government's FDI decision, while Telugu Desam Party, Communist Party of India - Marxist and Shiv Sena members rushed to the Well raising slogans.

In the Rajya Sabha, BJP, Bahujan Samaj Party, Janata Dal - United and AIADMK members, along with those of Trinamool Congress, were on their feet soon after the House reassembled at noon.

Members of BSP, Left and BJP raised slogans demanding reversal of the FDI decision as some of them trooped into the Well.

Members from Kerala, cutting across party lines, also moved into aisles, raising the issue of the safety of the Mullaperiyar dam in the state.

Sensing their mood, Deputy Chairman K Rehman Khan adjourned the House for the day immediately after papers were laid in the House.

Earlier too, both Houses witnessed similar scenes, forcing their adjournment till noon.

As soon as Speaker Meira Kumar called for the Question Hour in Lok Sabha, signaling a start to the day's proceedings, members rushed to the aisles and the Well raising various demands.

Chairman Hamid Ansari adjourned the proceedings in the Rajya Sabha till noon as noisy scene prevailed when the House met for the day.

Parliament has not transacted any significant business since the winter session began on November 22.