Rajya Sabha proceedings stalled by Congress protests over vendetta politics allegations

New Delhi: Relentless protest by Congress members over its "vendetta politics" charge against the government in the 'National Herald' case virtually stalled Rajya Sabha proceedings on Thursday, taking a toll of both the Zero Hour and the Question Hour.

The Upper House saw repeated adjournments in the pre-lunch session with Congress members trooping into the Well raising slogans against the government and the Prime Minister.

The House was adjourned five times - twice each during Zero Hour and the Question Hour and once after it reassembled at 2 PM, as the government charged the main opposition party with making the House a 'hostage'.

While Congress members continued to raise anti-government slogans from the Well, AIADMK members also moved into the aisles in the morning demanding that the devastation caused by the Chennai floods be declared a national calamity.

The noisy scenes first forced Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien to adjourn the House till 11:30 AM and then again till noon.

Kurien also got the listed papers of the day laid on the table and then called for Zero Hour mentions, as noisy scenes continued.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi raised a point of order objecting to the opposition members' behaviour.

"Ministers are sitting in the House to answer questions of members. If some members are not seeking to ask questions, why other members are being prevented from doing so. Some people cannot hold the House to ransom. Unfortunately, some people are taking this House hostage. The House needs your protection," he told Chairman Hamid Ansari.

As unrelenting Congress members continued their noisy protest, Ansari adjourned the proceedings till 2 PM. Similar scenes were witnessed when the House reassembled, forcing its adjournment till 3 PM.

Earlier in the day, Chairman Hamid Ansari read out a message on the anniversary of adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the UN.

But soon thereafter, Congress members stormed the Well raising slogans like "Modi teri tanashahi nahi chalegi (Prime Minister's authoritarianism will not be tolerated)."

In the din, Health Minister JP Nadda said the government was ready for a discussion on the issue and wanted it to be initiated immediately. Kurien asked members to return to their seats and start discussion but no one heeded to his pleas. Similar scenes were witnessed when the House reassembled.