Parliament Monsoon Session: PM claims to discuss all issues; houses adjourn till afternoon

The monsoon session of Parliament began today at its scheduled time but could not continue even an hour as the members of opposition made uproar in both houses which led the speakers to adjourn it till afternoon.

In Lok Sabha, as the Speaker took up the day's agenda, the leaders of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) began to agitate over their demands of beginning immediate discussion on Assam ethnic violence, the Telangana statehood issue and the desecration of a statue of B.R. Ambedkar.

The lone Bodoland Peoples Front MP S K Bwiswmuthiary raised the issue and was supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The members trooped to near the speaker's podium holding placards.

The Telangana MPs were also on their feet demanding the statehood issue be taken up.

Meira Kumar said she had accepted the adjournment motion. She then adjourned the house amid the din.

In the Rajya Sabha, soon after the obituary references were over, Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati stood up to raise the issue of a statue of Dalit icon B.R. Ambedkar being vandalized in Uttar Pradesh.

"This is an insult to Baba Saheb," Mayawati said.

Members from other opposition parties were also on their feet raising issues, including the Assam violence. The BJP had given a notice for adjourning the question hour to discuss the violence in Assam.

Chairman Hamid Ansari asked the members to raise the issue in zero hour. However, as the din continued, the upper house was adjourned till 12 noon.

Earlier, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh before beginning the session has said that his government was ready to discuss on important issues, including the Assam violence.

"Our government is prepared for any discussion according to procedure.. we welcome use of parliament as a forum of dialogue, and I sincerely hope that all political parties will cooperate in ensuring the session moves smoothly," Manmohan Singh said.

The monsoon session of parliament is to end Sep 8.

--With IANS Inputs--