LS Adjourned Over Modi’s Allegations Against Manmohan Singh, Again

Congress members trooped into the Well raising slogans against PM Modi, such as “pradhan mantri maafi mango”.

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan. 

(Photo: PTI)

Congress members, on 19 December, staged a walkout from the Lok Sabha over Prime Mnister Narendra Modi's earlier remark on former PM Manmohan Singh and asked for an apology from PM Modi.

The walkout came after the proceedings of the Lok Sabha were adjourned for nearly 30 minutes on Tuesday around noon due to slogan-shouting by Congress members demanding an apology from PM Modi.

Congress members even trooped into the Well raising slogans against the Prime Minister such as "pradhan mantri maafi mango" (PM apologise) and "pradhan mantri sadan mein aao" (PM come to the House).

Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said that the Prime Minister has questioned Dr Manmohan Singh's integrity and loyalty to the country, he should come in the house and make it clear.

The Prime Minister was not present as he is touring cyclone Ockhi-hit states in southern India.

The ruckus continued even after Mahajan threatened Congress MPs that she would 'name' them. Naming of a member by the Chair generally leads to disciplinary action.

She said whatever happened in an election campaign should not be used to disrupt the House. "The elections are over and the results are out. I cannot allow you to raise the issue here," she told the agitating members.

Kharge and NCP's Tariq Anwar said the issue should not be linked to polls.

A visibly upset Speaker said while the Congress has been accusing the government of not convening the Winter session on time, they were disrupting it now.

Around 11.30 am, she had adjourned the House till noon.

Another Day of Adjournments

The Lok Sabha was adjourned on Monday, 18 December as well, because of similar disruptions. Congress members had raised the issue of allegations levelled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against his predecessor Manmohan Singh.

The first adjournment came in minutes after the House met, as Congress members stood on their seats and created a ruckus over the issue.

From the treasury benches, BJP MP Kirit Somaiya, who had the first question listed against his name, said the Bharatiya Janata Party was headed for victory in both Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

...People have given a very good reply... Congress has lost Himachal Pradesh, and I want to thank the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) for the unprecedented victory in Gujarat.

Kirit Somaiya, BJP MP

The Speaker had then adjourned the House till noon, amid ruckus from both the ruling and Opposition benches.

As the House met again at noon, Congress members once again raised the issue of the Prime Minister's allegations, but were denied permission by the Chair.

You want to raise the same issue everyday... This is not done.

Sumitra Mahajan, Speaker, Lok Sabha

"We will not tolerate insult of the former Prime Minister," Congress members said.

Amid the ruckus, papers were laid on the table of the House and Bills were introduced, after which Speaker Mahanjan adjourned the House for the day.

Modi, during the campaign for the Gujarat Assembly polls, had claimed that at a meeting in Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's house, Manmohan Singh discussed the Gujarat polls with Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Khurshid Kasuri.

(This story has been updated to reflect the adjournment of the house on 19 December)

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