LS Speaker Sumitra Mahajan suspends 25 Congress MPs for causing disruptions

Swaraj today rose to speak in the Rajya Sabha braving growing protests by the Opposition over allegations that she helped former Indian Premier League chief Lalit Modi obtain a UK visa.

“I never requested the British government to issue a visa to Lalit Modi,” said Sushma.

Watch Video:

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till noon after the Opposition stormed in to the Well holding placards and resorted to sloganeering.

With nearly half of the Parliament Monsoon Session nearly washed out, the Congress appears to be unrelenting in their demand for Sushma Swaraj, Vasundhara Raje and Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s resignations.

Sonai Gandhi at today’s Congress Parliamentary Party meeting said that BJP’s ‘dialogue first and action later’ strategy is not acceptable to Congress.

“We are raising very important issue with strong evidence, but Govt is unwilling to take action in this regard,” said Sonia Gandhi.

Despite the government’s best efforts to clear the logjam at the all-party meeting, the Opposition has adopted the “no resignation, no discussion” line. With the House paralysed for most of the Monsoon Session, the BJP-led government are believed to be mulling over the idea of introducing a “no work, no pay” policy to counter the Opposition.

LIVE

3:30 pm Speaker suspends 25 Opposition MPs for five days from Lok Sabha for causing disruption

2:50 pm: Rajya Sabha adjourned till tomorrow after repeated disruptions.

2.30 pm:

2.23 pm:

2.20 pm:

2.18 pm:

2.00 pm:

12.10 pm: Both Houses are adjourned till 2 pm.

11.22 am: Rajya Sabha adjourned till noon.

11.17 am: Sushma Swaraj expresses her willingness to participate in a discussion over Lalit Modi at Rajya Sabha, says never asked the British govt to issue Lalit Modi a visa.

11.15 am: Congress demands PM Modi to break silence on recent controversies surrounding BJP leaders.

11.12 am: Rajya Sabha speaker rejects Congress demand for adjournment.

11.10 am:

11.06 am:

11.03 am:

11.00 am: