New Delhi : The Rajya Sabha’s proceedings were disrupted once again on Monday as Congress members demanded Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s resignation over alleged corruption in the DDCA.
The disruptions came despite an understanding reached on Friday at an all-party meeting on the passage of several pending bills.
Soon after Rajya Sabha members agreed on the urgency of the juvenile justice bill, leader of opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad raised the DDCA issue and mentioned Jaitley’s alleged involvement.
Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien, however, expunged his remarks from record.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who is also leader of the house and facing heat in the Delhi and District Cricket Association case, said he was ready to respond to any charges, and asked the opposition for a discussion.
He said he had already taken legal recourse on the charges made against him outside parliament.
“I have absolutely no difficulty… some people make allegation outside (parliament). I have taken legal recourse… please waive off all rules and ask the leader of opposition to start discussion on any specific things against me; I will answer it right now,” Jaitley said.
“I am not going to live by these vague statements. Let him make any specific charge, I will answer it right now,” the finance minister said.
The Congress members however began raising slogans, prompting Jaitley to question: “Do I assume they have nothing to say?”
The house was then adjourned for 15 minutes.
When the house met again, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said a supplementary list of business will be brought to discuss the juvenile justice bill.
As the deputy chairman prepared to take up the zero hour mentions, Congress members began raising slogans again.
The Congress members raised slogans, demanding Jaitley’s resignation, displayed placards and trooped near the chairman’s podium.
“Even when the finance minister says he is ready for discussion, shouting of slogans is unjustifiable and unacceptable. This is most unfortunate,” Kurien said before adjourning the house till 12 noon.
Chairman Hamid Ansari later adjourned the house till 12.30 p.m.