The Rajya Sabha did not transact any business on Friday too, as the Opposition said its protests will continue till Prime Minister Narendra Modi clarifies his alleged remarks targeting former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former Vice-President Hamid Ansari.
House Chairman Venkaiah Naidu’s efforts to bring peace between the Opposition and the government also seemed to have failed. The Opposition said it wants the House to function but it is the resoluteness of the Centre that is creating a crisis.
The Centre suggested that the House be allowed to run and a solution be found while the business takes place in the House. The Opposition, however, rejected the proposal and said Modi’s allegations against Singh and Ansari were of a serious nature.
Raising the matter again, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad suggested that the House be adjourned till noon so that a solution can be found to end the impasse. He said the two meetings the Opposition had with Finance Minister and Leader of the House Arun Jaitley did not find a solution.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Vijay Goel, however, said the House can function and the solution can be found in the meantime. “This is not such an issue that a solution cannot be found,” he said.
Naidu said for two days the House functioned smoothly and the members even passed two Bills. “I wish that the House functions properly with the help of everyone,” he said.
Speaking at a programme outside the House, Naidu said stalling the House is not good for the country. “Parliament is in session... these days, it is on and off. It is not a good thing for the country,” he said. “The constant endeavour is to make India the global economic leader by adopting a holistic approach towards inclusive economic growth, highlighting that progress must be made to achieve double-digit economic growth at the earliest,” he added.