12 DEC2024 (Ozi News Bureau) : Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned on Thursday following a series of chaotic scenes—first in the Rajya Sabha over an Opposition press conference, and later in the Lok Sabha due to allegations linking Congress to billionaire George Soros.
The day’s events began when BJP MP Nishikant Dubey raised allegations about Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s alleged ties to Soros. This sparked protests in the Lok Sabha, with Opposition MPs climbing the Speaker’s dais. Proceedings were initially adjourned until 1 pm, only for the House to be adjourned again within moments until 2 pm.
In the Rajya Sabha, an uproar followed the previous day’s press conference by Opposition MPs, which criticized Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. The Chairman had rejected a notice from Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury demanding a discussion on “derogatory statements made by a sitting judge of the Allahabad High Court.” Dhankhar cited Article 121 of the Constitution, which limits discussions about the conduct of judges unless it concerns a motion for their removal.
Leader of the House J P Nadda condemned the Opposition’s press conference, stating that questioning the Chair was tantamount to contempt of the House. He claimed that the Leader of the Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge, had repeatedly refused invitations to attend meetings and participate in the proceedings. In response, Kharge accused the ruling party of trying to divert attention from the main issues, and he challenged Dhankhar’s leadership.
Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha witnessed further turmoil when Congress MP K C Venugopal questioned the BJP’s allegations against Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi. He criticized the selective expunging of remarks from the record, citing discrepancies in how accusations against BJP members and Congress leaders were handled. The situation escalated when Dubey raised new allegations against the Congress leadership, including claims that the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation had ties to the Forum of Democratic Leaders in the Asia-Pacific (FDL-AP), allegedly funded by Soros. This led to even more protests from Congress MPs, including some who stormed the Well of the House.
As the commotion intensified, Speaker Jagdambika Pal adjourned the House.
The ongoing tensions reflect the deepening political divide, with allegations of misconduct and partisan behavior continuing to disrupt proceedings in both Houses of Parliament.
