Rajya Sabha adjourned for day on 5th consecutive day as BJP, Opposition MPs continue disruptions

On the fifth day in a row, the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day on Friday within minutes of convening its proceedings as both the treasury and Opposition benches created a ruckus on remarks of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in London regarding democracy in India and over Adani issue.

The chaos erupted soon after the papers were laid on the table as the Rajya Sabha assembled at 11 am.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members sought an apology from Rahul Gandhi over his democracy in India remarks in London and criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders also raised objections and they also started speaking against the government demanding a probe into the Adani Group by a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

Amid the disruptions, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar adjourned the House till 11 am on March 20.

The row over Gandhi's remarks in London reverberating in the House since March 13-- day one of the second phase of the Budget Session-- leading to continued adjournment of the House every day.

The Rajya Sabha faced adjournment for the whole day on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday too amid pandemonium as treasury benches sought an apology for Gandhi's remarks in London on democracy in India and the Opposition objecting the matter and demanded a probe into the Adani Group by a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

In a veiled attack on Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Rajya Sabha Piyush Goyal on Tuesday raised the matter, pointing "this is the first time" that a Member of Parliament used words against the democracy of India while his visit outside the country, and sought his apology.

"He (Rahul Gandhi) should apologise...," Goyal had said.However, the Opposition members had sought a probe into the Adani Group by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on Tuesday and accused the Centre of being silent on a report by a US firm that alleged stock manipulation and accounting fraud by the group.

During his address to the British parliamentarians in London recently, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the "functioning microphones of Opposition leaders in Parliament are often silenced." He made several other allegations including on PM Modi, an 'attack on democracy', and the China issue. In Cambridge, the Congress MP again alleged that the Opposition's voice was being stifled in Parliament.

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