RS adjourned twice over suspension of MPs

Opposition parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party, the All India Anna Dravida Munetra Kazhagam and Left parties came together in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday to demand revocation of suspension of seven members, but the ruling Congress said those showing disrespect to Chair should express regret before such a move is initiated.

A united opposition disrupted the Question Hour on the issue forcing two quick adjournments.

When the House met for the day, Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley expressed regret to Chairman Hamid Ansari for the conduct of some members when the Constitution Amendment Bill to earmark one-third seats for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies was introduced in the Upper House.

The suspension has led to members of Samajwadi Party and the Rashtriya Janata Dal to keep away from the proceedings, he said adding those boycotting the House as well as those suspended should be brought back.

Jaitley said some solution has to be worked out during the day to bring them back. He was supported by the Shiv Sena and the AIADMK members.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister P K Bansal said the government would like to conduct proceedings in the House in the presence of all members.

But extraordinary incidents demanded extraordinary action and the members who showed disrespect to the Chair should "express remorse (or) regret" for their conduct before the process of revocation of suspension is initiated, he said.

Sitaram Yechury (Communist Party of India-Marxist) said all parties universally condemn behaviour of members towards the Chair and the House. But the suspension and the boycott "is not a happy situation."

"The situation has to be resolved today," he said adding the action was taken on the basis of motion moved by the Government and the same procedure has to be followed to revoke the suspension.

Yechury was repeatedly interrupted by treasury bench members, forcing Chairman Hamid Ansari to express dismay over the "interruptions and shoutings".

"We want our colleagues back in the House," D Raja of the Communist Party of India said.

Ansari said the leader of the opposition has made a suggestion and there was a way of conducting the process.

"Let that process take its course," he said taking up the listed questions.

This did not satisfy the members who continued raising the issue, forcing Ansari to remark that the conduct of members was "disgusting" and adjourning the House for 15 minutes.

When the House reassembled, Opposition members including Prakash Jawadekar and Prabhat Jha of the BJP again raised the issue.

Ansari said it seemed the members did not want to proceed with the Question Hour and adjourned the House till noon.