Parliament highlights: Winter Session ends with both Houses adjourned sine die

Parliament highlights: On Thursday, INDIA bloc MPs took out a protest march in Parliament premises demanding the resignation of Amit Shah for his remarks related to BR Ambedkar

Parliament winter session news updates: INDIA Bloc MPs carried out a protest march from Vijay Chowk to Parliament on Friday morning demanding Home Minister Amit Shah's apology and resignation over his statements on BR Ambedkar. Shah had stated in the Rajya Sabha that Congress leaders would have got a place in heaven had they chanted the name of God rather than following the fashion of repeating BR Ambedkar's name. Congress leaders have argued that Shah's statements about Ambedkar showed contempt towards the Constitution. The party has dismissed  allegations against Rahul Gandhi, that he shoved some BJP MPs, stating that such claims were aimed at diverting the public anger against Shah. Two members of parliament from the BJP required hospitalization for injuries amid allegations against Rahul Gandhi, with a female BJP MP claiming he misbehaved with her. BJP officials filed accusations with police charging Gandhi with attempted murder, physical assault, and incitement. In response, Congress party members made countercharges against BJP legislators and registered their own complaint at the Parliament House police station.

  At a presser Thursday evening, Rahul Gandhi said the BJP made such claims to distract from the issues that the Congress has raised during the Winter Session, especially demanding Shah’s apology for “insulting” Ambedkar and the issue of a “case being filed against (Gautam) Adani in the US.” BJP leader and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan responded with a press conference of his own, accusing Rahul Gandhi of a certain type of misconduct that was against Indian traditions and also misbehaving with a tribal woman.

3:02 PM

Will oppose simultaneous elections 'tooth and nail': Congress

The Congress said 'one nation, one election' was against the basic structure of the Constitution and asserted that it would oppose the idea "tooth and nail". The Opposition party also said the idea of 'one nation, one election' was anti-democratic and anti-federal.

2:46 PM

Shivraj Singh Chouhan meets injured BJP MPs

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan went to the RML Hospital on Friday to meet the injured BJP MPs Pratap Sarangi and Mukesh Rajput.

1:54 PM

Parliament did not fulfil its duty, have let people of India down, says Shashi Tharoor

On the last day of the Winter Session, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor expressed his dismay over repeated disruption in the Parliamentary proceedings saying that the Parliament failed to fulfil its responsibilities and let the people of the country down.

1:33 PM

Dhankhar spoke for almost 30 per cent of time in Rajya Sabha: Derek O'Brien

Hitting out at the chairman on the last day of the Winter Session, Trinamool Congress (TMC) Parliamentary Party Leader Derek O'Brien said that the Upper House ran for a total of 43 hours till December 18 and Dhankhar spoke for around four and a half hours. "As of December 18, the Rajya Sabha ran for a total of 43 hours. Of this, the bills were discussed for 10 hours," the TMC leader said. There are no official records of speaking time of the Rajya Sabha chairman or its members.

1:22 PM

Left speechless, Congress resorting to physical fight: Kiren Rijiju

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju dismissed the Congress' charge that the BJP has adopted desperate measures after it targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah for allegedly insulting B R Ambedkar. "Everybody saw how our MPs were hurt. Priyanka Gandhi might not have seen it. Our MP bled," he said, reiterating the charge that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi caused them injuries and also misbehaved with a woman BJP MP.

12:24 PM

Rajya Sabha adjourned sine die

Proceedings in the Rajya Sabha have also been adjourned sine die.

12:18 PM

Lok Sabha adopts resolution to send 'One Nation, One Poll' to committee

Minutes before the lower house was adjourned sine die, the House  adopted a resolution recommending the two bills on holding simultaneous polls to a joint committee of the two Houses. While 27 members on the panel will be from the Lok Sabha, 12 others will be from the Rajya Sabha.

12:15 PM

Rajya Sabha adopts motion to nominate members to joint committee on simultaneous polls

The Upper House adopted the motion to nominate 12 members to joint committee of Parliament on bills for simultaneous polls.

12:08 PM

Rajya Sabha chairman calls meeting of BJP, Cong leaders amid logjam

Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday called for a meeting with Leader of the House JP Nadda and Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge amid the logjam between ruling and opposition fronts, before adjourning the proceedings till 12 noon.

12:06 PM

Rahul can never push anyone, I'm his sister, says Priyanka Gandhi

"This is a symbol of desperation of the government. It is a false FIR. Rahul Gandhi can not push anyone, I am his sister, I know this. Frankly, the country also knows this. The country is watching how desperate they have become because they don't want discussion on Adani. The country will not tolerate insult of Ambedkar ji," Priyanka Gandhi said today.

 

11:46 AM

BJP, Congress' cases over Parliament scuffle to be given to Crime Branch

Amid the raging row over Home minister Amit Shah's remarks on Dr BR Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha earlier this week, the case enquiry of both the Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress' complaints row will be transferred to the Crime Branch.

11:26 AM

NDA MPs stage protest, claim Congress party disrespected Ambedkar

NDA MPs protested on Parliament premises alleging that the Congress party disrespected Dr BR Ambedkar. 

11:10 AM

Parliament update: Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12 noon, Lok Sabha has been adjourned sine die

Proceedings in the Upper House and Lower House adjourned till 12 noon amid protests by Opposition members. 

11:06 AM

BJP's FIR against Rahul Gandhi 'shows their desperation level': Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

"The entire country is watching, they have slapped several cases on Rahul Gandhi. They bring in new FIRs and lie...This shows their desperation level," Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said today.

10:55 AM

Amit Shah row update: INDIA Bloc MPs stage protest against Amit Shah's remarks