Parliament updates: Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day within moments of reconvening as Congress, BJP spar over Rafale row

Anand Sharma objects to BJP’s demand for apology from Rahul Gandhi

As soon as the Rajya Sabha reconvened, Chairman Venkaiah Naidu asked dr V Maitreyan to discuss the issue of urgent public importance listed in the List of Business. However, Congress leader Anand Sharma rose and objected to the BJP’s demand for apology from Rahul Gandi. He then mentioned the Supreme Court ruling in his statement. But the chairman refused to take his comment on record.

Trinamool Congress MPs protest rising unemployment outside Parliament 

NO JOBS FOR YOUTH. Trinamool MPs from LS & RS held a dharna this morning near Gandhi statue in #Parliament #WinterSession Also Notices in both Houses pic.twitter.com/idBg741QLE

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) December 18, 2018

Rajya Sabha to resume shortly, Venkaiah Naidu requests for peaceful conduct of House

The Rajya Sabha will resume at 2 pm. Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu requested to have a peaceful conduct of the house and allow issues to be discussed in the first few minutes of the session before it was adjourned.

Uproar over Rafale, project on Cauvery, special status for Andhra led to Lok Sabha adjournment

The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day on Tuesday amid protests by parties on various issues, including the Rafale controversy and a project on the Cauvery river.

As the House met again at noon, slogan shouting continued from both the Opposition and treasury benches. The Congress raised the Rafale issue and some party members displayed placards demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the fighter jet deal.

Many members from the BJP shouted slogans against the Congress and demanded an apology from party chief Rahul Gandhi on the Rafale issue. Some members stood in the aisle while others were at their seats.

Moreover, AIADMK members were protesting against the construction of a dam across the Cauvery river, while those from the TDP were demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh.

PTI

‘Many typos will emerge’

At the press conference outside Parliament, Rahul Gandhi also said many such “typos” would emerge now, referring to the “factual correction” the government has sought in the Supreme Court verdict on the Rafale deal. He reiterated that demonetisation was the world’s biggest scam and that money was being stolen from poor farmers to be given to industrialists.

Rahul Gandhi targets Modi over farmers’ loans

Speaking outside the Parliament, Rahul Gandhi took on the Narendra Modi government, saying the prime minister sat on farmers’ loans for four years and didn’t waive a single rupee. He asserted that this was injustice for the farmers. The Congress president highlighted that the party had already waived the loans of farmers in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, two of the three states where the Congress came to power after the Assembly elections.

Rahul demanded an answer from Modi on why he had not waived farmers’ loans yet, when he could work for the benefit of big corporates.

PDP MP Fayaz Mir protests outside Parliament

An MP of the People’s Democratic Party Fayaz Mir is protesting outside the Parliament building against the killing of seven civilians in Pulwama on Saturday.

Inside Parliament @jkpdp Member Parliament #FayazMir protests against Pulwama Civilian killings near Mahatma Gandhi statue @MehboobaMufti pic.twitter.com/osohqu1fix

— J&K PDP (@jkpdp) December 18, 2018

BJP parliamentary party meeting ends

After the BJP parliamentary party meeting, Union minister Narendra Tomar said Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had briefed members about the triple talaq bill and the need to get it passed. They also discussed former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar’s conviction in the 1984 anti-Sikha riots and the Rafale Deal, ANI reported.

Lok Sabha adjourned for the day

After trying to appeal to MPs to allow the House to function, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the Lok Sabha till Wednesday, 19 December. Mahajan’s appealed were drowned out by cries for a discussion on the Rafale deal.

‘Prime minister doesn’t say two words in Parliament’

After the Speaker allowed Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge to speak, he renews the party’s demand for a JPC investigation into the Rafale deal. Sumitra Mahajan reiterated that a JPC inquiry is beyond her authority, but she can request a discussion. 

Kharge also asks where the CAG and PAC reports on the Rafale deal are that were mentioned to the Supreme Court. He questioned how the government would be ready for a discussion when the prime minister doesn’t say two words in Parliament.

Parliament is for discussion, debate, says Lok Sabha Speaker

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan appeals to MPs to return to their seats from the Well and allow the session to proceed.

“The government is ready to discuss anything you want, but this is not the way. It is not giving a good message. We have to face the public. I’m requesting you again and again. Whatever discussions you want will be done as per the rules,” she said. “People abroad also ask what is happening in India?… We must show some responsibility. I’ll request the government myself to hold a discussion. We must maintain a standard in Parliament.”

National Institute of Design (Amendment) Bill introduced in Lok Sabha

Miniter of State for Corporate Affairs PP Chaudhary introduced The National Institute of Design (Amendment) Bill, 2018, amid sloganeering.

Lok Sabha resumes, so does the ruckus

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan is trying to get the session underway in the Lok Sabha, but amid loud sloganeering by MPs. Congress members have resumed shouting “chowkidaar chor hai”.

Trinamool Congress protests against unemployment

Trinamool Congress MPs protest near the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament premises over lack of jobs for the youth.

No jobs for the youth - Trinamool MPs protest near Gandhi statue in #Parliament pic.twitter.com/NrFT1saylF

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) December 18, 2018

Lok Sabha adjourned amid sloganeering over Rafale

The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 12 pm after Opposition and treasury benches faced-off over the Rafale fighter jet deal. Soon after the House met, the Congress, AIADMK and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) members started sloganeering.

The Congress demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the 36 ready-to-fly Rafale fighter jets deal with France while accusing the government of lying before the Supreme Court on the matter.

Both the BJP and Congress members exchanged heated arguments with the Opposition seeking an apology from Narendra Modi, and the other demanding the same from Congress president Rahul Gandhi for misleading the House and the nation on the defence deal.

Amid the din, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan tried to conduct the Question Hour and sought cooperation from MPs, but they did not relent. She then adjourned the House till noon.

IANS

Union minister Vijay Goel says Centre ready to debate Rafale

Before the Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said that the most important issue was that of the breach of privilege of the House by the government in the Rafale deal.

“The government has misled Parliament, it has misled the Supreme Court through a wrong affidavit and thus it has misled the country on the Rafale deal,” Azad said.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel said the government was ready to discuss all issues including Rafale on the floor of the House. “It is the Opposition that is running away from discussion,” he said.

Amid the ruckus, Naidu adjourned the House till 2 pm.

IANS

Rajya Sabha adjourned amid protests over Rafale, Cauvery project

Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday adjourned the House till 2 p.m. as some members came near the chair’s podium and started sloganeering.

Minutes after the House met for the day, members from Tamil Nadu-based parties, the AIADMK and DMK, came near the podium holding placards and raising slogans. They were protesting against a proposed dam on the Cauvery river.

IANS

Why is the Question Hour is being disrupted, asks Kiren Rijiju

It's understandable that opposition parties disrupt Govt Bills & Business' in Parliament to spoil the good works of the Govt. But I fail to understand why the question hour is being disrupted? Question hour is MP's privilege to question the Ministers. It's very interesting too!

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) December 18, 2018

AIADMK MPs protest in Parliament premises

AIADMK MPs are also protesting outside Parliament against Karnataka preparing a report for the proposed construction of a reservoir-cum-drinking water project at Mekedatu across the Cauvery river. Tamil Nadhu chief minister Edappadi Palamiswami had written to Narendra Modi, seeking revocation of the Centre’s permission for the project to Karnataka.

AIADMK MPs protest in Parliament premises against Karnataka preparing a report for the proposed construction of a reservoir-cum-drinking water project at Mekedatu across the Cauvery river. TN CM had written to PM Modi seeking revocation of Centre's permission to Karnataka pic.twitter.com/ccwtYNTirR

— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2018

TDP MP dresses up as folk singer for protest outside Parliament

Meanwhile, Telugu Desam Party MP Naramalli Sivaprasad dressed up as a folk singer during a party protest outside Parliament, demanding special category status for Andhra Pradesh. Sivaprasad is known to dress up in various avatars during protests, a magician, woman, washerman and school student having been his earlier characters.

Delhi: Telugu Desam Party MP Naramalli Sivaprasad dressed up as a folk singer during TDP protest in parliament demanding 'Special Category Status' to Andhra Pradesh. He has earlier dressed up as a magician, a woman, a washerman & a school student among others. #WinterSession pic.twitter.com/zbtqC81esa

— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2018

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm

Chairman Venkaiah Naidu adjourned the House till 2 pm amid ruckus over the Rafale deal.

Lok Sabha adjourned till noon

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House within nine minutes of the session convening.

Lok Sabha in uproar within minutes of session starting

While members attempt to discuss agricultural issues, BJP members shout slogans of “Rahul Gandhi maafi mango” (Rahul gandhi apologise) and “Gali, gali mein shor hain, Rahul Gandhi chor hai” (Rahul Gandhi is a thief) and “Gandhi parivar chor hai” (The Gandhi family is a thief)  in Lok Sabha. BJP MPs are also holding up placards demanding an apology from the Congress president over his remarks on the Rafale deal. Congress MPs also countered with shouts of “Modi sarkar chor hai.”

Rajya Sabha session begins

Upper House chairman Venkaiah Naidu says matters will be taken up as per priority, including price rise, the agriculture crisis and the cyclones that hit Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and other states. He appealed to members to allow discussions.

Privilege motion against Narendra Modi

A notice for breach of privilege has been moved in Lok Sabha against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well. The notice, moved by Congress MP KC Venugopal, alleges that the government had misrepresented facts in the Supreme Court in the Rafale case.

A privilege motion is a motion that is granted precedence over ordinary business of the House because it concerns matters of great importance or urgency.

Attack on soldiers by locals to be discussed in Question Hour 

During the Question Hour of Lok Sabha, Home Minister Rajnath Singh will bring up for discussion soldiers being attacked by local residents. A discussion on the sale of produce below the minimum support price is also on the agenda.

Rajya Sabha agenda today

The National Council for Teacher Education (Amendment) Bill, The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Second Amendment) Bill, The Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill will be discussed in the Rajya Sabha today.

Lok Sabha agenda for today

The National Institute of Design (Amendment) Bill, 2018, will be introduced in the Lok Sabha today. Amonf the bills to  discussed in the Lower House are the New Delhi International Arbitration Centre Bill and The Consumer Protection Bill.

P Venugopal to raise discussion on natural calamities 

Among the businesses listed on the agenda for the day include a discussion on the increased frequency of natural calamities in coastal India and the Centre’s preparedness to deal with it. P Venugopal will raise this concern, with special reference to cyclones Gaja and Titli, among others

Privilege motion against Rahul Gandhi

BJP MPs Sanjay Jaiswal, Anurag Thakur and Nishikant Dubey have moved a privilege motion to the Lok Sabha secretary against Congress president Rahul Gandhi on the Rafale controversy.

The BJP leaders had sought action against Rahul over his speech during the debate on the no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government in Parliament’s Monsoon Session. In their notice, they quoted Rahul as saying that the UPA government had agreed to buy the fighter jets at Rs 520 crore per unit, but when the NDA government signed the deal, it was bought at Rs 1,600 crore “by magic”.

TMC gives notice to discuss rising unemployment in Rajya Sabha

The All India Trinamool Congress has given a notice to Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu to include the issue of rising unemployment in the listed discussions today. The party has been attacking the government over the lack of employment opportunities for youth, alleging that the Modi government failed to fulfill its poll promise of creating 2 crore jobs every year.

Opposition to move Adjournment Motion in Lok Sabha 

Two Members of Parliament (MP), one each from Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI (M)] have given adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha over the Rafale issue. CPI(M) MP Mohammed Salim and Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan have given adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha during the ongoing Winter Session of the Parliament over Rafale jets issue pertaining to the Centre’s decision to purchase 36 ready-to-fly jets from French company Dassault Aviation.

Parliament set for a stormy session on sixth straight day

Despite the first five days being a near washout, the commotion over Rafale row is unlikely to die down on the sixth day of Winter Session as Opposition and the government continue to spar over the issue outside Parliament. Reports say that Congress party is planning to hold 50 pressers in the coming days, while BJP ministers and leaders fanned out across the country Monday to allege Congress of spreading “falsehood” with an “amazing audacity” over the Rafale issue. 

On Monday, the opposition party gave privilege notices against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government — only to be countered with a notice against Rahul Gandhi by the ruling party MPs.