NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day on Thursday after repeated disruptions over the National Herald case with the Congress members creating ruckus and union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi urging the chair to send those members who were creating disturbance out of the house.
Before adjourning the house, Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien said: "I am sorry I am not able to proceed with the bill because our members are not allowing. This is very unfortunate and sad state of affairs."
His remarks came when the house reassembled at 3 p.m. But Congress members continued to disrupt proceedings.
Kurien tried to take up the Whistle Blowers Protection bill, but could not amid the din.
The deputy chairman said: "I am sorry members are shouting and howling. What can I do."
The Rajya Sabha Bulletin, which informs members about proceedings and other important issues, named 46 members for misconduct.
"Due to gross disorderly conduct in violation of rules and etiquette of Rajya Sabha by the following members, who entered the 'well' of the house, displayed placards, shouted slogans and persistently and willfully obstructed the proceedings of the house, the chair repeatedly adjourned the house," the bulletin read, naming the members.
The list included the names of E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan, Ashwani Kumar, Ambika Soni, Kumari Selja, Renuka Chowdhury and a number of other Congress leaders.
Earlier, when the house met at 11 a.m., Congress members trooped near the chairman's podium shouting slogans.
Amid the din, Kurien adjourned the house first till 11.30 a.m., and then till noon.
Similar scenes prevailed when the house met at noon, and Chairman M. Hamid Ansari adjourned the house till 12.30 p.m., and then till 2 p.m.
The scene was the same in the post-lunch session, when Naqvi said the members creating the ruckus should be sent out of the house.
"I have a request. Those who do not want to let the house function should be allowed to take rest, let them sit outside for some days," Naqvi said to which Kurien said: "I agree."
"If they want to create noise, they can go to Jantar Mantar or to Gandhi Samadhi, they will get some wisdom," said Naqvi.
"There is only kharcha no charcha (Only expenditure, no discussion)," the minister added, to which Congress members shouted "No" in chorus.
Kurien asked them to restrain themselves from making howling sounds: "Don't create this peculiar inhuman noise, howling is not good."
As the disruption continued, the deputy chairman said: "The chair is helpless... I adjourn the house till 3 p.m."
When the house reassembled at 3 p.m. Congress members continued to disrupt proceedings compelling the chair to adjourn for the day.