New Delhi: Parliament was disrupted yet again on Monday with the Opposition changing tact in Rajya Sabha demanding adoption of a condolence resolution for those who have died in queues in banks post-demonetisation and pressing for voting on a discussion that entails voting.
A united Opposition gave a new dimension in the Upper House by asserting that no discussion on demonetisation would take place till the House adopts a resolution mourning the death of nearly 70 people said to have been caused by hardships after the junking of the high-denomination notes.
The Lok Sabha could not function for the third straight working day as opposition parties insisted on taking up of an Adjournment Motion on demonetisation and a debate under a rule that entails voting.
The Rajya Sabha, which saw a day-long inconclusive debate on demonetisation on the opening day of the Winter session on November 16, has failed to transact any business since then as the Opposition has been pressing for the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his response to the debate.
Among those pressing for the condolence resolution were Congress, BSP, TMC and CPI(M).
Leader of the House and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley accused the Opposition of running away from the demonetisation debate.
“Merits and demerits will come out in a debate... Why are they (opposition parties) running away from debate? This is clear now that the opposition is not ready for debate and is coming up with new excuses to disrupt the House,” he said amid slogan shouting by opposition members who were in the well of the House.
