The logjam in Parliament entered its second week today with BJP members stridently demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the issue of coal block allocation.
Both the Houses were adjourned till noon as the BJP members continued their vociferous protests against the Government.
As soon as the Lok Sabha met, the BJP members trooped into the Well raising slogans against the Prime Minister after Speaker Meira Kumar’s obituary reference to film actor A.K. Hangal.
“Pradhan Mantri Istifa do (Prime Minister should resign),” the BJP members chanted in the Well.
Amid din, Kumar took up the Question Hour but nothing could be heard.
Only BJP members were in the Well and those of allies — JD-U and Shiv Sena — were seen raising slogans from their seats. Another BJP ally Akali Dal did not participate in the ruckus. Members of SP, BSP, RJD and Left parties were also seated.
As the din continued, the Speaker adjourned the House till noon.
At the time of adjournment, RJD leader Lalu Prasad was heard saying that the BJP members should be removed from the House as a majority was keen on functioning of the House.
“Bahar kariye inko, bahar kariye ... do tihai log chahte hai ki House chale (Remove them, two-thirds of the members want House to run)” Prasad said pointing towards BJP members.
In the Rajya Sabha, BJP-led NDA members were up on their feet shortly after it mourned the passing away of former member Chowdhary Ram Sewak and congratulated the Indian cricket team for winning U-19 one-day international world cup.
As Chairman Hamid Ansari took up the first listed question, they shouted, “Pradhan Mantri istifa do (Prime Minister should resign)’’.
“Please sit down. Let the Question Hour proceed,” Ansari pleaded with the members. But as slogan shouting continued unabated, he adjourned the House till noon.