By IANS,
New Delhi : Spiralling food prices forced two adjournments of the Rajya Sabha Wednesday, the second one for the day, with an angry opposition demanding a discussion on the issue under an adjournment motion that entails voting. What was quite clear was that the opposition was united in its demand but not in the manner it should be achieved.
The house saw vociferous protests from the entire opposition as soon as it assembeled at 11 a.m., with some members of the ruling party countering that question hour proceed on schedule. In the midst of the din, Chairman Hamid Ansari adjourned the house till 12 noon.
As soon as the house reassembled, chants of “168” – the rule under which the opposition wants to move an adjournment motion – were heard.
Though the entire opposition was demanding a discussion on the price rise, the divide between the Bhartiya Janata Party and the Left and other non-National Democratic Alliance (NDA) parties was visible as their slogans were at variance, with each trying to outshout the other.
Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) member Brinda Karat animatedly suggested slogans to her party colleges, asking them to raise their pitch to be more audible.
The Left was also joined by Rashtriya Janata Dal members who walked over to their seats to protest.
Amidst the din, Deputy Chairman K. Rahaman Khan called for papers to be laid on the table before adjourning the house for the day.