Lok Sabha proceedings disrupted for seventh consecutive working day
What's the story
The proceedings of the Lok Sabha were disrupted for the seventh consecutive working day today, amid sparring between Opposition and treasury benches on the Rafale jet issue. The House functioned barely for 10 minutes during the Question Hour, when Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the proceedings till noon amid the din. The chaos started as soon as the Question Hour was taken up.
How it started?
Congress demanding JPC for Rafale, TDP batting for steel plant
Just when the Question Hour was taken up, members from the Congress and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) rushed to the Well raising slogans. AIADMK members initially raised slogans from the aisle but later entered the Well. While Congress was demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the Rafale deal, the TDP was demanding setting up of a steel plant in Andhra Pradesh.
Rafale issue
BJP seeks apology from Rahul for misleading people over Rafale
TDP also demanded special status for the state. AIADMK was opposing construction of a dam over the River Cauvery. BJP members hit back by seeking an apology from Congress chief Rahul Gandhi for allegedly misleading people over Rafale deal. Some BJP-members were seen holding placards in the aisle. The first question was barely over when Mahajan adjourned the House around 11.10 am till noon.
Rocky start
Winter session experiencing disruptions and adjournments since day 1
Today was the seventh working day of the Winter session that saw disruptions and adjournments over the Rafale jet seal, special status for Andhra Pradesh and protests over construction of a dam over Cauvery river. Both Houses were adjourned for the day on day 1 of the session on December 11, after paying obituaries to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and some sitting members.