The CAG report on coal block allocations rocked Parliament today with a determined Opposition disrupting proceedings by demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who held the coal portfolio when the alleged irregularities took place.
The Lok Sabha could not transact any business because of the unruly scenes, which first resulted in adjournment till noon and then for the day.
The Rajya Sabha could function only to allow the unanimous election of Congress leader P. J. Kurien as Deputy Chairman of the House before it was adjourned for the day amid uproar.
As soon as Lok Sabha met for the day, Opposition members, including those from BJP, JD-U, SAD, Shiv Sena and BJD, among others, trooped into the Well, demanding the Prime Minister’s resignation.
Left, AIADMK and TDP members also supported the demand.
The CAG report tabled in Parliament last Friday stated that there has been an estimated loss of Rs 1.86 lakh crore due to coal block allocation without auction from 2005 to 2009.
In the wake of uproar, Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned the House till noon.
Similar scenes were witnessed when the House met again, with Opposition members trooping into the Well again.
Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde tried to placate the members, saying, “We have no objection to a discussion.”
Kumar asked the members to calm down. “If the sense of the House is that there should be a discussion we can discuss this issue,” she said, amid the din.
With members continuing to raise slogans in the Well, Kumar adjourned the House for the day