Ruckus forces Parliament adjournment for 18th day

 ​New Delhi: It was the same scene on the 18-consecutive day in Parliament. Both Houses adjourned without transacting any business and it appears that the second half of the Budget Session is going to be a complete washout. Hectic political activity was witnessed both inside and outside Parliament. 

As the Lok Sabha met after a four-day break, AIADMK members trooped into the well demanding early constitution of the Cauvery water management board. The ruckus saw the adjournment of the proceedings for the first time within four minutes after it assembled and then for the day at noon after the listed papers were laid on the table of the House. Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House till Tuesday. 

In the Rajya Sabha, vociferous protests from Opposition members forced Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu to adjourn the House till Tuesday. Earlier during the day, the TDP and YSRCP members protested outside Parliament demanding special category status for Andhra Pradesh. 

Repeated disruptions marred the House proceedings in the last four weeks, with the TDP members agitating for a special category status and AIADMK members raising the Cauvery water dispute.

Though notices for the no-confidence motion were given by the TDP, YSRCP, Congress and CPI(M), they were not taken up due to the unrelenting protests inside both the Houses. The TDP MPs later alleged that the government was adamant and was stonewalling the no-confidence motion.  Meanwhile, a team of women, led by TDP MP Thota Narasimham’s wife Vani, reached New Delhi. 

They have come to Delhi to extend their support to the TDP MPs who have been demanding special category status. Vani said she was ready to sit on fast-unto-death if the Centre failed to concede the demand of the people of Andhra Pradesh. 

She said she would meet AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and seek his permission. Vani, it may be mentioned here, had gone on fast opposing the bifurcation of the state.