Both the Houses of Parliament witnessed disruptions over the political crisis in Karnataka on Tuesday, too. While the Rajya Sabha did not transact any business, Opposition members stormed the well of the Lok Sabha shouting slogans and later walked out as Speaker Om Birla did not allow an adjournment motion on the matter.
Rajya Sabha’s plan to discuss the general Budget on Tuesday failed as a united Opposition protested over the situation in Karnataka and the sale of various PSUs.
Chairman Venkaiah Naidu and Deputy Chairman Harivansh’s appeal did not pacify the Opposition members. “I have received two notices for suspension of Question Hour. Of the two notices, one is connected with Karnataka, I am not allowing it; but if the Members wish, I can allow it during the Zero Hour,” said Naidu. The protests, however, continued and the Zero Hour and Question Hour were disrupted.
Later, when the House met at 2 pm to discuss the Budget, the Opposition continued with the protests. The Deputy Chairman invited P Chidambaram, to initiate the debate, but he was not present. The Opposition did not relent and continued to protest.
They shouted slogans that the Centre is ‘killing democracy in Karnataka’.
The Left and Trinamool Congress MPs said the Centre is selling more than 40 PSUs. “The BJP is saying it is not involved in destabilising the Karnataka government. It is a big lie. From whose aircraft were the resigned MLAs flown to Mumbai?” asked Congress MP BK Hariprasad.
He alleged that Karnataka BJP president BS Yeddyurappa’s personal assistant and Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal are carrying out ‘Operation Kamala’ on the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
“This is the sixth time the BJP is trying to destabilise the current government (in Karnataka) in the last one year. We are going to fight against Modi-Shah’s plan to pull down the Karnataka government,” Hariprasad said and added: “They have been forced to resign due to pressure of CBI and Enforcement Directorate. They were blackmailed to resign.”
For the first time after the Lok Sabha election, Congress President Rahul Gandhi was also seen raising slogans in Lok Sabha against the BJP on the Karnataka crisis.