Parliament was paralysed for the eighth straight day today as the face-off continued between the Government and the Opposition, which was joined by UPA constituents Trinamool Congress and DMK, over the controversial decision to allow FDI in retail.
Despite the Government reaching out to it, the Opposition remained adamant on its demand for scrapping of the decision to allow 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail and 100 per cent in single-brand retail and pressed for a discussion in the House under an adjournment motion.
Both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha witnessed unruly scenes with slogan-shouting Opposition members trooping into the well, many of them carrying placards against FDI decision and other issues like a separate Telangana and safety of the Mullaperiyar dam.
Lok Sabha saw members from Left and Trinamool Congress in the well along with their BJP counterparts, raising slogans against the Government decision on FDI. DMK members were also on their feet, protesting against the FDI decision and demanding discussion on it.
Members from Kerala entered the well demanding that the water level in the Mullaperiyar dam be maintained at 120 ft keeping in mind the safety of the 116-year-old structure.
Trouble started soon after the Speaker, Ms Meira Kumar, made obituary reference in the Lok Sabha to former member Harish Kumar Gangawar (Congress) and read out a message on World AIDS Day.
As soon as the Speaker’s message ended, AIADMK members from Tamil Nadu rushed to the well seeking implementation of the Supreme Court directive on raising the storage level of the Mullaperiyar dam to 142 ft.
Trinamool Congress members were seen in the aisles protesting the decision on allowing 51 per cent FDI in multi-brand retail and 100 per cent FDI in single-brand retail.
BJP members were on their feet demanding discussion on the FDI issue under an adjournment motion. Left members were also seen raising the FDI issue. Congress members from Telangana and some TDP members raised slogans for a separate Telangana.
Despite the din, the Speaker took up the Question Hour but nothing could be heard. As the unruly scenes continued, Ms Kumar adjourned the proceedings till noon.
When the House met again, similar scenes were witnessed after which the Deputy Speaker, Mr Kariya Munda, adjourned it for the day.
The Rajya Sabha also plunged into turmoil soon after it assembled for the day. The entire Opposition was up on its feet shouting slogans against the decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retailing.
Mr Satish Chandra Mishra (BSP) said his party had given notice for suspension of Question Hour to take up discussion on the Government’s FDI policy.
“FDI vapas lo, vapas lo,” the members shouted as the Chairman, Mr Hamid Ansari, took up the first listed question.
The Minister of State for Personnel, Mr V. Narayanasamy, and the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Rajeev Shukla, rose to say something but they could not be heard in the din.