RSS row — Govt, Oppn fail to reach pact LS paralysed again

NEW DELHI, MARCH 1: The proceedings of the Lok Sabha remained paralysed for the fifth day on Wednesday as the government and the Oppositio...

NEW DELHI, MARCH 1: The proceedings of the Lok Sabha remained paralysed for the fifth day on Wednesday as the government and the Opposition failed to reach an agreement on the mode of discussion on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) issue and the House had to be adjourned twice today without transacting any business.

The Lok Sabha met briefly twice but on both the occasions a determined Opposition stalled the proceedings continuing to press for discussion under 184 of the Rules of Procedure which provided for voting. Most of the Opposition members trooped into the well of the House shouting slogans opposing the adamant attitude of the government on allowing a discussion on the contentious issue. The government, however, stuck to its stand that the discussion would be under Rule 193 as allowed by the Speaker.

The House met briefly to take up the question hour but had to be adjourned till the lunch recess. When it reassembled the Opposition was in no mood to relent despite repeated pleas by Vice Chairperson Raghuvans Prasad Singh. He, however, permitted the ministers to lay papers on the table of the House amidst uproarious scenes.

Story continues below this ad

There was virtually a slanging match between the members from the treasury benches and Opposition when the ministers laid the papers. Amidst the din Chief Whip of the Congress Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi was heard saying that Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee should come to the House. Barring Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan none of the senior ministers who occupy the front bench were present in the House.

As the slogan-shouting by the Opposition persisted Raghavans Prasad Singh adjourned the House till Thursday.

The impasse on the RSS issue continued with a determined Opposition forcing adjournment of the Lok Sabha till 1400 hrs insisting that the issue be discussed under Rule 184 of the Rules of Procedure.