Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day following protests

Ravi S Singh
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, December 13

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day on Thursday following protests by the AIADMK, TDP, CPI (M) and CPI.

Members of the AIADMK and TDP entered the well of the House raising their state-specific demands.

AIADMK members raised objection to the construction of dam on the Cauvery in Tamil Nadu, and the TDP pressed for special status to Andhra Pradesh.

The CPI (M) and CPI members, did not enter the well, but raised demands asking for a discussion on the Kerala floods, which had devastated the state.

The protests erupted soon after the customary laying of papers, and just about when Zero Hour proceedings were to commence.

The members did not pay heed to the persuasions of Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu. He urged members to conduct themselves befitting parliamentary norms and tradition as the people of the country were watching the proceedings. Their undemocratic conduct sent a negative signal at large.

BJP president Amit Shah and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley were present in the House.