Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement in Rajya Sabha, there was no immediate sign of an end to the stalemate over controversial remarks by Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti with the government and the opposition declining to budge from their stands.
The deadlock worsened with government rejecting the opposition demand for Jyoti's sacking while the opposition wondered what prevented the Prime Minister from taking "exemplary action" against the minister, suspecting a design at communal polarisation.
Accusing the opposition, especially Congress, of "throwing all democratic norms to the winds", Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said "there is no question of the minister's sacking. The opposition demand is not just.
"Government is trying to be more democratic, more sober and more responsive. They want everyday to adjourn the House," said Naidu on a day when proceedings in Rajya Sabha were paralysed for the third day in a row while the issue saw disruptions in the Lok Sabha too.
Hitting back, Congress deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma said "that the parentage of 70 per cent population of the country has been questioned (by the minister) and this is the abuse and hurt being caused by this RSS, BJP philosophy," noting that BJP had polled only 30 per cent votes in its favour to come to power.
Sharma wondered what prevented the Prime Minister from taking "exemplary action" against the minister and made it clear that the responsibility to break the stalemate was with the government.
Asked whether the winter session of parliament will be a wash out, he remarked, "I cannot say".
Naidu, on his part, said it is the opposition which has to decide. "Let Congress decide whether they want Parliament to run or not," he said.
Government managers were attacking the "double-standards" of Congress in attacking a first-time woman minister of weaker section even after an apology, having ignored even more serious omissions of seniors in the past.
They said Congress first wanted the Prime Minister to speak on the issue in the House and now when he has spoken and disapproved her remarks strongly, they are going back on their words by putting forth fresh conditions for smooth running of the Upper House.
