Rajya Sabha repeatedly adjourned over coal, Modi

New Delhi  :  The Rajya Sabha Wednesday saw repeated adjournments over BJP’s accusations against the government on the missing coal-block allocation files and Congress members seeking resignation of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

As the house met after its two earlier adjournments, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members were on their feet protesting against the government response on the “missing files” relating to coal block allocations.

Meanwhile, Congress members showed banners against Narendra Modi over alleged fake shootouts in the state.

Telugu Desam Party members also sought to raise their concern over the proposed division of Andhra Pradesh.

BJP’s M. Venkaiah Naidu said attempts were being made to shield the corrupt in coal block allocations. “We can’t be spectators to loot. Irrelevant files had been given to CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation),” he said.

A seemingly exasperated Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien asked members if they did not want to take up the land acquisition bill.

“We have to transact a very important bill,” he said.

Looking towards the treasury benches, he asked the members not to display posters.

As the din continued, he adjourned the house till 2 p.m. Earlier the house was adjourned first till noon and then till 12.30 p.m.

When the house met at noon after its first adjournment, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad accused Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of misleading the house on the missing files related to coal block allocations.

“The PM did not speak the truth and misled the house. A fair investigation has been denied by the government,” said Prasad.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajeev Shukla said there was no question of a cover up.

He said the prime minister has made it very clear that efforts are being made to trace and retrieve each and every document.

Congress member V. Hanumantha Rao later said that Modi should resign following the letter written by suspended police officer D.G. Vanzara that Modi and former minister of state for home Amit Shah were also to blame for “encounter deaths”.

The Lok Sabha, too, witnessed noisy scenes and had to be adjourned till 2 p.m. after BJP members accused the government of hiding the truth in the case of the missing files relating to coal-block allocations.

Also, the Left parties vociferously protested the recent hike in petrol prices.

File Photo  : AFP