Rajya Sabha disrupted again

New Delhi, July 23  The Rajya Sabha was disrupted again on Thursday with the opposition demanding the resignation of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and the chief ministers of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

As the house met, members from the Congress and other opposition parties were on their feet and did not pay heed to the government's repeated statements that a discussion must be started.

Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien said he failed to understand the point of the opposition's protest.

"I am at a loss to understand why this futile exercise because the other day there were some notices under Rule 267 to suspend business of the house... We suspend business of the house because this a topic is important. I heard both sides and said I permitted a discussion but a discussion did not happen..."

"Yesterday also the same thing happened. The government agreed for a discussion, I also agreed for discussion. You wanted discussion," the deputy chairman said to which the opposition clarified that they wanted action before a discussion, referring to the resignations.

Kurien further said: "I agree with you... You want discussion with some condition. My point is your condition is something I can't implement. If discussion is not happening what is the point of this protest?" he asked.

Leader of the House Arun Jaitley then pointed out that Congress leader Anand Sharma's notice for the day did not have the condition of action before discussion.

"Anand Sharma's motion today is without a condition. It does not say the minister must resign," said Jaitley.

Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Sitaram Yechury and some other opposition leaders then questioned how Jaitley got the notice.

When Kurien clarified that the notice is shared with the parliamentary affairs minister, Yechury said it was a breach of privilege that the notice was shared.

However, Jaitley read out from the rule book which said the notices on motions should be distributed to all members.

As the din continued, the house was adjourned till 12 noon