Parliament paralysed for 8th day over coal block issue

The eighth consecutive day of Parliament was lost on Friday due to the uproar created by the Bharatiya Janata Party over coal block allocations, raising the prospect of a washout of the remaining part of the Monsoon Session, which ends on September 7.

Uproarious scenes were witnessed in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha in the last seven days, with the CAG report on the coal block allocation issue creating turmoil with the BJP paralysing the proceedings by pressing for the resignation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

In the Rajya Sabha, BJP members refused to take part in the House proceedings, shouting slogans and vehemently refusing to read out their Special Mentions. However, N K Singh, a member of the National Democratic Alliance ally Janata Dal - United, laid it seeking urgent measures to address the problem of declining growth rate of export.

As soon as the two Houses reassembled after the first adjournment till noon, opposition members were on their feet, shouting slogans like "Koyla Dalalon Ki Sarkar Nahin Chalegi (we will not allow government run by coal brokers)". They were countered by Congress members.

In the Rajya Sabha, Renuka Chowdhary led the Congress charge and shouted back at the BJP saying "sit down or go out" while her other colleagues chanted "BJP ki gundagardi nahin chalegi" (BJP's hooliganism won't be allowed).

A short notice question, which was listed, could not be taken up as the BJP member who was supposed to ask it declined to do so and no supplementary was asked by any other member.

Soon BJP members trooped into the Well in both Houses, while those from the AIADMK as well as the Communist Party of India – Marxist remained standing.

As the slogan shouting continued, both Houses were adjourned for the day.

In the Rajya Sabha, Communist Party of India – Marxist leaders K N Balagopal and P Rajeeve demanded cancellation of the coal blocks.

When the Lok Sabha met for the day, BJP members trooped into the Well, raising slogans against the prime minister for allegedly extending "undue benefits" to private parties to the tune of Rs 1.86 lakh crore while allocating coal blocks.

United Progressive Alliance members launched a counter-offensive, raising slogans in favour of Singh and waved the 'List of Business' at the agitating BJP-led opposition members.

Communist Party of India leader P Lingam was seen holding a placard stating 'We want Parliament to Function'.

As members continued their protests, Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned the House till noon.

In the Rajya Sabha, the moment Chairman Hamid Ansari took up the Question Hour, BJP members rushed to the Well demanding the prime minister's resignation.

Minister of State for Railways Bharatsinh Solanki's reply to a supplementary raised by Saif-ud-din Doz could not be heard in the din.

As BJP members did not relent, Ansari adjourned the House till noon.