Naidu bid to end Rajya Sabha stalemate fails again
Mr Modi had alleged during the recent Gujarat poll campaign that Manmohan Singh and others had colluded with Pakistan to rig the election.
New Delhi: As the logjam in Parliament continued, Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu on Friday made yet another effort to end the stalemate between the Opposition and treasury benches over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “conspiracy with Pakistan” remarks against his predecessor Manmohan Singh.
Mr Naidu met Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress deputy leader in the House Anand Sharma and minister of state for parliamentary affairs Vijay Goel in his chamber to look for ways to end the logjam. Sources said that he also met the three individually in his chamber.
However, there seemed to be no breakthrough at the meetings, the sources added.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned as soon as it met for the day. Leader of the Opposition Mr Azad sought an adjournment and pitched for an end to the logjam that has continued since December 15, the first day of the winter session. “The House should be adjourned till a solution is found,” he said, ad-ding that Congress members do not want to enter the well of the House to force an adjournment. The Parliament will now remain closed till December 26 for a long weekend and Christmas break.
Mr Naidu asked leaders to ensure smooth working of Parliament when it reconvenes on December 27. Sources said that he asked Leader of the House Arun Jaitley and Mr Azad to continue negotiations to end the stalemate.
In the Lok Sabha, there were vociferous protests by Congress MPs who demanded an apology from the Prime Minister. The party also sought an apology for the allegations made by the BJP against the Congress-led UPA over the 2G spectrum scam.
Mr Modi had alleged during the recent Gujarat poll campaign that Manmohan Singh and others had colluded with Pakistan to rig the election.
As Speaker Sumitra Mahajan continued the proceedings amid the din, agitated Congress members staged a walkout at about five minutes into Zero Hour with a disappointed Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge raising concerns about not being allowed to raise the issue.