Logjam continues in Parliament over demonetisation, both Houses adjourned

Demonetisation protest: Opposition members in the Rajya Sabha in New Delhi. (Source: PTI Photo/Representational)

The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2pm on Monday as opposition continued to protest on the demonetisation issue. The Parliament had reconvened on Monday with both Houses witnessing chaotic scenes on the issue of demonetisation. Along with an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his black money remark, the Opposition also sought a debate on the matter followed by voting.

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Leader of Congress Mallikarjun Kharge said the Opposition was ready to initiate the debate under Rule 184 instead of their original demand for it to be held under Rule 56. “We have come down from Rule 56 to Rule 184. Now the government should also come down from Rule 193 and agree to Rule 184,” he said. While TMC leader Sudip Bandhopadhyay and CPI(M) MP P Karunakaran supported Kharge, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) wanted the debate under Rule 193.

The Rajya Sabha too has been adjourned till 2 pm. Congress, BSP, SP and TMC members raised slogans demanding the government’s reply on the problems faced by employees and pensioners due to demonetisation. Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad said: “The government employees and pensioners are not getting their salaries. I want to know from the government if there is a financial emergency.”

Despite Deputy Chairman P J Kurien calls for discussion, Opposition members trooped into the Well raising slogans — “Logon ka paisa, logon ko do (give the money that belongs to people)”, “Hosh mein aao, Hosh mein aao, Pradhan Mantri House mein aao (Come to your senses, PM come to the House).”