IndiaDeadlock in Parliament, Govt challenges Oppn for debate

Deadlock in Parliament, Govt challenges Oppn for debate

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 Deadlock in Parliament, Govt challenges Oppn for debate

PM turns into a banana republic: Oppn

New Delhi, Dec 7 (PTI) : The deadlock over demonetisation led to wastage of the 14th working day of the Winter session of Parliament today even as the government dared the Opposition to have a debate on the issue rather than disrupting the proceedings.

Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha failed to transact any substantive as Opposition continuously created pandemonium, leading to early adjournment of the two Houses.

Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of reducing India to a “banana republic” by imposing demonetisation, the opposition today asked him to apologise for the move, a demand the government was quick to dismiss averring that it was in the country's interest.

The opposition also termed as “immature” Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's remark that its members were not taking part in discussion on demonetisation in the House, but were using the issue for “getting footage on TV”, and said the situation was otherwise and it was Modi who wanted to be seen on television.

“We have been reduced to a banana republic. This responsibility lies with one person: the Prime Minister. He should apologise for (what) he has inflicted upon people of the country,” Congress leader Anand Sharma told reporters outside Parliament.
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Sharma said Jaitley's statement was “very unfortunate and immature” and that it should have been avoided.

“(Rather it is) the Prime Minister who wants to be seen on TV all the time, so does the Finance Minister. What do they expect? That the opposition has no right to question, criticise wrong decisions?” he asked.

Echoing Sharma, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said it is “only the Prime Minister who is seen there on TV.”

Referring to the BJP parliamentary party resolution, the Rajya Sabha MP suggested the ruling party should do a reality check as he noted that the poor continued to suffer post withdrawal of Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes.

“People are suffering. When such issue is raised, they are saying our opposition is for TV footage,” Yechury said.

Yechury flayed the BJP parliamentary party for passing a resolution, condemning opposition parties for not letting the Parliament function, and said it is the Prime Minister who is not letting it function.
BSP chief Mayawati reiterated that the Centre announced demonetisation “sans any preparation”.

“The Prime Minister announced demonetisation nearly a month ago. He had said the problem will be solved within 50 days. But I can't see it happening over the past one month.

The poor, agricultural workers…they continue to remain affected,” the BSP supremo said.

Senior JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav said that the government did not take initiative to ensure smooth functioning of the House.

Hitting back, Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi sought to know whether the opposition wants Modi to apologise for having “tightened noose around Kubers of black money and corrupts” and working in public interest.

He asked the opposition to join debate on the issue as there are still some day left for the session to be over. The winter session of Parliament will conclude on December 16.

“Why should the Prime Minister apologise? Because the Kubers of black money, corrupts and dishonest have been hit hard? Or is it because the poor is on the way of being happy?” he asked.

The minister alleged those demanding apology are the “ones who allowed corrupts a freehand to loot the country for 70 years.”

He stressed the decision is in the interest of the people who, he claimed, are supporting the move.
The government, he said, had not wasted even a minute to agree to a debate on the issue. It also agreed to the rule under which the debate is to be conducted as well as to the demand that the Prime Minister will participate in it, said, who is also Leader of the House.

But instead of participating and concluding the debate, the Opposition has been using the Zero Hour to raise the issue for “getting footage on TV rather than listening to substantive facts on the issue. … If the Opposition has the guts, the debate should resume,” the Leader of the House said.

Immediately thereafter, BJP members started raising slogans like “himmat hai to charcha karo (If you have guts, discuss the matter).”

Since Azad spoke about the demonetisation issue during Zero Hour when only matters of urgent importance are highlighted, Jaitley raised a point of order, saying it is not permitted under rules.

He questioned how the Chair allowed the issue to be raised when a substantial portion of the debate on the same subject has already been held.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien agreed with Jaitley and asked the Opposition benches if they were ready for a discussion.

As Treasury benches continued to shout slogans seeking resumption of discussion, the Opposition members raised slogans daring Modi to come to the House and listen to the debate. As the din continued, Kurien adjourned the proceedings till noon.

Northlines
Northlines
The Northlines is an independent source on the Web for news, facts and figures relating to Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh and its neighbourhood.

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