Price rise storm rocks Parliament, both Houses adjourned

New Delhi, Nov 23 (ANI): Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned till Thursday, as the opposition refused to back down on the issue of price rise and other issues.

The Lok Sabha could not take up a discussion on the price rise as opposition continued to press for a debate under a rule which entails voting.

As the house met for the day, the CPI-M members trooped into the well of the house in support of their demand.

Several members from the Telangana region, including TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao, also walked into the well of the house and pressed for a separate Telangana.

National Congress Party (NCP) members Sameer Bhujbal and Sanjiv Naik, whose party is also part of the UPA, raised slogans and displayed placards, seeking a scrapping of the minimum export price on onion.

The House was first adjourned till noon. After it met again, the presiding officer to adjourn the House for the day.

The Rajya Sabha also witnessed similar scenes. It was adjourned first till noon and later for the day after agitating Left members were joined by the BSP to seek a discussion on price rise. The Telangana issue was also raised in the Upper House.

On Tuesday, the first day of the Winter Session, the Opposition boycotted Union Home Minister Chidambaram alleging his involvement in the 2G scam during his tenure as Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

However, the Left did not support the BJP's move of targeting Chidambaram over the 2G charges, but made common cause over price rise. Left lawmakers wanted the Lok Sabha to stop all other work and discuss the price rise under provisions that entailed voting, something that makes the government uncomfortable.

During the session, Left parties would also coordinate with other parties on major issues like corruption, especially the 2G scam and black money.

The CPI-M, CPI, RSP and the Forward Bloc would demand the adoption of an effective Lokpal in this Parliament session itself. The parties would strongly oppose the Pension Bill and appeal to the entire Opposition to unitedly defeat its passage.

Some key UPA allies like Trinamool Congress have also expressed their displeasure over price rise. It could also see opposition unity on the issue of corruption in the wake of new CAG reports on the issue as well as the 2G scam.

With assembly elections in five states, including Uttar Pradesh, scheduled for early next year, developments in these states may also echo in Parliament. (ANI)