Bihar, RSS issues rock Parliament

The RSS issue had thrown the House into turmoil for over a week with the Opposition demanding a discussion on the Gujarat government8217;s permission to its employees to participate in RSS activities.

They insisted the discussion should be under Rule 184 which allows for voting 8211; a move intended to test the NDA allies on their secular posture.

Rashtriya Janata Dal RJD gave a notice for admission of an adjournment motion to discuss the role of Governor V C Pande for his quot;partisanquot; role in the installation of an NDA government in Bihar and demanded his recall.

quot;We want a discussion on the role of the Governor who invited NDA which could claim the support of only 146 MLAs in the 324-member House though RJD enjoyed backing of a majority of MLAs,quot; RJD Parliamentary Party leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh told reporters.

To a question, he said President K R Narayanan should recall the Governor immediately as he had lowered the dignity of the high office. Stating that the Governor8217;s decision had led to horse-trading, he said Pande should have invited the RJD first which had support of more MLAs.

A defiant Opposition forced the Deputy Speaker P M Sayeed to adjourn the Lok Sabha till Wednesday amid noisy scenes.

As soon as the House assembled, the Congress members were on their feet demanding that the Gujarat government be asked to withdraw its order permitting State Government employees to participate RSS activities. On the other hand the RJD members pressed for sacking of Bihar Governor for murder of democratic norms in the State8217;.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day within 15 minutes after it assembled in the post lunch session amidst uproarious scenes with the Congress, RJD and CPM unrelenting and pressing for a discussion on the Bihar government8217;s role.

As soon as the House assembled the members of the three parties stood up demanding with the chairperson Krishan Kant first to fix a time for the discussion on the Bihar issue. Maulana Obaidullah Khan Azmi JD said, 8220;If you have protected democracy in Bihar, why are you afraid of having a discussion.8221;

While Chairman Krishan Kant had already permitted discussion under Rule 168 which allowed for voting, Opposition members demanded the discussion start immediately.

With no definite response coming from the government on the time of discussion, the members relentlessly shouted slogans stalling the proceedings.

The House, which was first adjourned 30 minutes ahead of lunch recess, was again adjourned for the day 10 minutes after it re-assembled.

Deputy chairperson Najma Heptulla, who was in the chair said when the chairman had already given his ruling she could not do anything. Venkaiah Naidu BJP said the Opposition members did not have any respect for the chair.

Heptulla pleaded with the members to allow only some of the papers to be laid on the table for record if it was in no mood to let any other business to be transacted. However some of the papers were laid amidst the din.

Before adjourning the House for the day, Heptulla said, 8220;I think that there is an impasse and you will not allow any transaction of business.8221;