Parliament stalled as Opp unites on Gujarat

The Gujarat issue haunted the monsoon session today when a combined Opposition paralysed both Houses demanding President’s Rule in the ...

The Gujarat issue haunted the monsoon session today when a combined Opposition paralysed both Houses demanding President’s Rule in the state.

In Lok Sabha, the moment Speaker Manohar walked in, Congress and RJD MPS ran into the well shouting: ‘‘Modi hatao, desh bachao.’’ Congress chief whip PR Dasmunsi urged the House to set aside question hour and discuss the issue. Joshi rejected the demand, prompting Congress MPs to rush to the well of the House.

Leader of Opposition Sonia Gandhi could be seen egging on party members to go into the well.

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When Joshi asked the treasury benches for its view, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan said the Opposition’s demand could not be accepted. Mahajan said Modi had the right to recommend dissolution of the Assembly. But Dasmunshi said it was gross misuse of power.

Question hour over, Joshi adjourned the House till 2 pm. When the Opposition resumed the protest at 2 pm, the House was adjourned for the rest of the day.

In Rajya Sabha, the Opposition slogan, ‘‘We want President’s Rule,’’ was countered with the ‘‘We want polls,’’ from the treasury benches, forcing an adjournment.