NEW DELHI — The Parliament has been dysfunctional since the commencement of the second part of the budget session with the treasury benches demanding an apology from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his statement in London and the opposition pressing for a Joint Parliamentary Probe (JPC) into the Adani issue.
Opposition MPs on Tuesday gave notices regarding demand for a JPC probe in both the houses. In the upper house, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari had moved suspension of business notice under rule 267.
In the lower House, Manish Tewari had moved his notice again seeking a discussion on freedom of speech of the MPs.
“Article 105 of the Constitution of India deals with the powers and privileges of the Houses of Parliament and of the members and committees thereof. Article 105(1) categorically lays down that “..there shall be freedom of speech in Parliament”, subject, of course, to the Constitutional text and rules made by Parliament itself. A necessary corollary of Article 105(1) is that such Rules must facilitate the specific right of expression granted to members of Parliament. It is this unfettered right to free expression in Parliament which forms the bedrock of democratic discussion and deliberation,” the notice read.
Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 p.m. on Tuesday after disruptions by treasury benches and opposition members over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on democracy and the Adani issue.
As soon as the Lower House convened for the day, members from treasury benches stood up and raised slogans against Rahul Gandhi, seeking his apology in Parliament for his remarks.
In the meantime, opposition members rushed into the well of the House and raised slogans seeking a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe in the Adani Enterprises issue.
Speaker Om Birla said he will give a chance to everybody to speak after Question Hour, however as noisy protests persisted, he adjourned the House till 2 p.m.
The opposition MPs are likely to protest outside the SBI branch located in the premises of Parliament over the Adani issue, sources said. — IANS
