The Opposition led by the Congress on Friday continued its protest in the Lok Sabha over the Lalit Modi and the Vyapam issues, even as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan tried to conduct the business of the house.
As the house assembled, opposition members moved adjournment motions over the BJP leaders' links with former Indian Premier League chief Lalit Modi and the Vyapam scam.
The opposition members put up placards and moved near the speaker's podium, shouting slogans like "Pradhan mantri jawab do (prime minister please reply)" and "We want justice".
Speaker Sumitra Mahajan tried to carry on with the proceedings. "Those carrying placards should stop. Otherwise, I will be forced to name you," she said, adding: "I will not adjourn the house today (Friday)."
Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu asked the speaker to take action as "they (opposition parties) are doing it again and again".
However, the opposition continued with its protests.
Amid a din, many papers were laid on the table of the house and Home Minister Rajnath Singh made a statement on the Gurdaspur terrorist attack.
Though the protesting members went back to their seats while Rajnath Singh was making the statement, they were back near the speaker's podium as soon as he had finished.
This prompted the home minister to say that the Congress was not serious about terrorism, triggering yet another verbal duel between the treasury and the opposition benches.
Amid the din, Mahajan adjourned the house till 2 p.m.
When the house reassembled, Congress leader of the house, Mallikarjun Kharge, asked Deputy Speaker M. Thambi Durai to expunge certain comments made by the home minister as they were an attack on the Congress.
"I tried my best to bring to the notice of the speaker the statement made on Gurdaspur attack by the home minister. But unfortunately, I was not allowed," he said.
"The statement was made to divide the house and blame the Congress. Please expunge it," Kharge said.
However, Thambi Durai said the speaker was present in the house when the statement was made and ruled in favour of it.
At this point, Congress members again trooped into the well of the house and began sloganeering.
However, the deputy speaker tried to continue with the proceedings.
As the din increased, he adjourned the house till 3.30 p.m.
Similar scenes were repeated thereafter as well and when private members resolutions and bills could not be taken up, Thambi Durai adjourned the house for the day.
