The no-confidence motion moved by the Telugu Desam Party and the YSR Congress against the Narendra Modi government was not brought up for discussion in the Lok Sabha on Monday as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House for the day following continued protests. The Rajya Sabha, too, was adjourned till Tuesday as the Telugu Desam Party and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam legislators trooped into the Well of the House to protest.
The Lower House had been adjourned earlier in the day till noon as the Telugu Desam Party MPs protested demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh, while the AIADMK MPs protested against the delay in the constitution of the Cauvery Management Board.
When the House reconvened at 12 pm, the uproar continued. Mahajan appealed to the members to go back to their seats and begin a discussion on the no-confidence motion. “If the House is not in order, I will not bring the notices,” she said.
Union Minister Rajnath Singh also said that the Centre wanted to hold a debate on the no-confidence motion. However, as the uproar continued, the Speaker adjourned the House for the day.
The notices are valid only for a day and the Telugu Desam Party and the YSR Congress will have to move new notices again on Tuesday.
Rajya Sabha proceedings disrupted
The proceedings in the Upper House were disrupted as soon as the session began when the Opposition MPs shouted slogans. “This is not in the interest of the country and Parliament,” Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu said before adjourning the House till Tuesday. “I am willing to allow these discussions. How long should we continue like this?”
The Telugu Desam Party legislators also staged a demonstration outside Parliament demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh. Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury also joined the protests and said, “Centre will never show solidarity with its allies. Congress has always stood by its promises to the people. The self-respect of the Telugu people will prevail.”
Andhra Pradesh’s demand for the special category status has been at the centre of the political storm that has dominated the Lok Sabha in the second half of the Budget Session so far. The no-trust motions by the two state parties are among the very few highlights of the session, which has otherwise faced adjournments day after day.
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