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RS adjourned for 2nd straight day on uproar over Ktaka crisis;

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Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Jul 10 2019 | 6:36 PM IST

Uproar by Opposition Congress over political crisis in Karnataka stalled major part of proceedings in the Rajya Sabha for the second straight day on Wednesday.

But the national party finally agreed to continue the debate on Budget in an orderly manner on Thursday.

The Upper House was adjourned thrice, before being adjourned for the day after the Treasury and Opposition benches agreed to continue the discussion on Budget on Thursday from 11 hours discontinuing Zero and Question Hour.

Post-lunch, the debate on the Budget 2019-20 began amid din as Congress MPs trooped into the Well during the entire discussion period.

They shouted slogans like "Loktantra ki Hatya Band Karo, Pradhan Mantri Jawab Do, Horse Trading Nahi Chalegi, Sarkari Gundagardi Nahi Chalegi and Kharid Farokht Band Karo".

The other Opposition Members also were on their feet.

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Senior Congress leader and former Finance Minister P Chidambaram, who was to initiate the debate in the Upper House, did not speak amid noisy scenes despite the chair calling his name repeatedly.

As no one could hear the debate, Samajwadi Party members staged a walk out saying they cannot discuss in a noisy atmosphere. A BJD member also said he would speak when the House is in order.

Later, both ruling and Opposition Congress discussed and came to a consensus.

"We have agreed to continue the discussion on Budget tomorrow from 11 am. (Anand) Sharma has urged presence of the Finance Minister in the House during the debate. There is an understanding on this," Leader of the House Thawarchand Gehlot said after protesting members returned to their seats.

Deputy Leader of Opposition Anand Sharma said the party has "agreed" for discussion on the Budget Thursday.

"My party and Opposition are serious about the discussion on Budget. I requested the finance minister to be present in the House. Tomorrow, let there be an orderly debate and I request the Chair to adjourn the House for the day," he said.

Sharma also said the Congress is agitated on an important issue related to the developments in Karnataka and he does not want to elaborate. The party wanted to convey to the public.

Deputy Chairman Harivansh adjourned the House for the day saying it was good there was a consensus on the matter and the debate on the budget will be held in an orderly manner.

Only three members -- Suresh Prabhu (BJP), A NavneethaKrishnan (AIADMK) and Narendra Jadhan (Nom) participated in the debate. Anil Desai (SS) was asked to continue the discussion on Thursday.

The Upper House was adjourned till 3 PM barely five minutes after it reconvened at 2 PM following two adjournments in the pre-lunch period.

As soon as the Rajya Sabha reconvened at 2 PM, Sharma sought to raise the issue of developments in Karnataka crisis.

However, the Deputy Chairman said he cannot allow a discussion on any other issue except on the Budget, and told Chidambaram to speak on it

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First Published: Jul 10 2019 | 6:36 PM IST

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