Lok Sabha adjourned for the day as ruckus continues

New Delhi, Nov 30 (IANS) The Lok Sabha on Wednesday witnessed pandemonium over the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes as the opposition led by Congress and TMC continued their demand to discuss the issue under a rule which entails voting.

Following the continuous uproar, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House for the day. Earlier, the House saw two adjournments.

Soon after the House met in the morning, the opposition parties including Congress and Trinamool Congress demanded that tributes should be paid by the House to the army men killed in the attack at an army base in Nagrota town, 15 km from Jammu.

Mahajan turned down the request, saying the combing operation in Nagrota was on.

The Congress, TMC, the Left and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), then staged a walkout over the issue.

After few minutes the opposition members returned to the House and trooped near the Speaker’s podium demanding discussion over the demonetisation issue.

Despite the din, Mahajan attempted to conduct the question hour, but following repeated disruptions, she adjourned the house till 12 p.m.

When the House reassembled, Leader of the Congress Mallikarjun Kharge said that his party wants discussion on the demonetisation issue as the people are facing hardship.

Kharge also urged the Speaker to start the debate under any rule which entails voting. Earlier, the Congress was reluctant to discuss the issue under rule 56.

TMC leader Sudip Bandopadhyay said his party wants discussion under any rule which entails voting.

However, the government didn’t agree, saying any division of vote over the issue will send a wrong message.

“The government is ready to discuss the issue since November 16. The House should not send a divided message. It will not be proper,” Kumar said.

The Speaker also urged the agitating members that they should begin the discussion keeping aside rules.

But the opposition members didn’t relent and again trooped near the Speaker’s podium and started sloganeering against the government.

Mahajan then adjourned the House for 10 minutes.

Later, she held a meeting with some opposition leaders in her chamber, but it failed to yield any outcome.

When the House again met after two adjournments, the scene were no different. Mahajan then adjourned the House for the day.