Conversion row: PM’s presence fails to break Rajya Sabha logjam

NEW DELHI: Amid the continuing logjam in Rajya Sabha over the contentious issue of religious conversions, PM Narendra Modi finally made an appearance in the Upper House on Thursday, as was being demanded by a united opposition for the last few days.

But it failed to resolve matters, with the BJP insisting home minister Rajnath Singh would respond to the discussion on the conversion issue, while the opposition stuck to its guns that the PM himself should make a statement. Consequently, no legislative business could be conducted for yet another day in the House.

The morning session began with sharp exchanges of barbs between the treasury and opposition benches, with finance minister Arun Jaitley slamming the opposition for displaying "arrogance of numbers" in Rajya Sabha. CPM leader Sitaram Yechury was quick to respond, "If the other House (Lok Sabha) is functioning, it's because of the tyranny of majority."

Amid all the din and "points of order" in the Zero Hour, which BJP dubbed "free-for-all hour", the House was adjourned till 12 noon. Modi walked into the house at 12.03 pm, seconds after it had again been adjourned till 12.18. For the next 15 minutes, the PM could be seen discussing matters with some of his ministers and MPs in the aisle.

When proceedings resumed, there were again heated exchanges on whether or not the PM should respond to the debate. Congress leader Anand Sharma said the opposition had no intention of lowering the PM's dignity but his own MPs were flouting his assurance given earlier. BSP supremo Mayawati, in turn, said, "I request the PM to speak on the issue in the country's larger interest. He should not make it a prestige issue,"

The BJP, however, rejected all such contentions. Jaitley said the government had repeatedly made it clear that it was ready for discussion but the opposition wanted to dictate all the conditions for holding it. Charging the Congress with changing its tune after first appearing "conciliatory", the finance minister said, "Competitive politics of disturbance has now taken over."

With no solution in sight, the House was adjourned for lunch. Modi did not come to the House for the afternoon session, triggering protests from the opposition benches. Several Congress and Trinamool MPs even trooped into the well of the House, shouting "No PM, No House", which finally led to the Rajya Sabha being adjourned for the day.

http://ift.tt/1kYhnbh Sabha logjam,Rajya Sabha,Conversion row

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