NEW DELHI: The logjam in the Lok Sabha continued for 13 days in a row with the Opposition unrelenting on its demand for discussion on the issue of demonetization under a rule which entails voting. Even while the Union Minister for Home Affairs Rajnath Singh stated that the government is keen to listen to the suggestions of the Opposition on the issue of implementation of the decision on demonetization, the Opposition dug its heels on voting even while a section of leaders dropped hints that the House may begin discussion from Wednesday.
After the House was adjourned amid repeated adjournments, a senior opposition leader, while speaking to reporters, said that there has been a unanimous decision to participate in the discussion under Rule 193 from Wednesday on the issue of demonetization. Even while the discussion was initiated by the TRS MP Jeetendra Reddy under Rule 193, which is without adjournment of the business of the House and voting, the TMC MPs surrounded him and indulged in slogan shouting, which led to the Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourning the House for the day.
“There was a meeting of the Opposition parties this morning and it was decided that before the Parliament session ends, we must register our voices as till now they have not said a word on demonetization in the Lok Sabha,” said the TMC MP.
The leader said that the meeting was attended by TMC, Congress, Left parties, JD(U), BSP, SP, NCP, DMK, AAP and JMM. The parliament session ends December 16.
Earlier in the day, the Speaker sought the views of the leaders of the political parties during which the Congress floor leader Mallikarjuna Kharge reiterated the demand to initiate the discussion under Rule 184. The Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav lamented that the government did not take leaders of all political parties in confidence before announcing the decision on demonetization.
While intervening, Union Minister for Home Affairs noted that there is a marked “division” within the Opposition on the mode of discussion. “There is a clear view that there is no question on the intention of the decision. The Opposition parties have expressed issues concerning the implementation. The government will like to listen to the suggestions to improve the implementation,” Singh added. However, there was no breakthrough, which led Speaker to adjourn the House till 2 pm.
The House witnessed the discussion being initiated under Rule 193 by TRS MP A P Jeetendra Reddy. As Reddy began to speak, TMC members surrounded him and started shouting slogans. Trinamool members used Reddy’s microphone to shout slogans thus disrupting the proceedings.
Some Congress MPs also joined Trinamool and they came into the well of the house. Efforts by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar to pacify the opposition and continue the discussion proved futile. Amdist the din, the house was adjourned for the day. TMC members were later seen shaking hands with Reddy, who also walked to the treasury benches and spoke to Home Minister.