The Opposition continued to stall Parliament proceedings over price rise for the third day in a row, raising slogans and waving placards, prompting the ruling BJP to single out Rahul Gandhi for an attack.
Women and child development minister Smriti Irani called the Congress leader “politically unproductive” and accused him of bringing down Parliament’s productivity too.
Both Houses had to be adjourned for the day as Opposition MPs trooped to the Well to demand an immediate discussion on price rise and the withdrawal of GST that has been imposed on some food items.
Led by the Congress, the Opposition MPs waved placards saying “Gabbar Singh strikes again”.
Congress MP Rahul calls the GST “Gabbar Singh Tax”, which appeared to be the reason why the BJP targeted him.
“His political life has been spent disrespecting parliamentary traditions. Now he is dedicating himself to ensuring that parliamentary proceedings and debates don’t take place,” Smriti said.
The attack from Smriti came just ahead of an Opposition protest in front of Mahatma Gandhi’s statue on the Parliament premises against the GST on some food items and price rise in general. Rahul participated in the protest. From there the Opposition members walked to the two Houses to protest again.
The agitating MPs ignored Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s pleas to go back to their seats. The Speaker tried to conduct Question Hour in the din but adjourned the House when the sloganeering continued. Post-lunch, the Lok Sabha assembled again but protests forced an adjournment for the day.
Similar scenes were witnessed in the Rajya Sabha as well. Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu briefly allowed leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to raise the issue of price rise in a bid to end the protest. Naidu, however, adjourned the House before Kharge could finish.
“The common people, women, children and the elderly — all have been affected by price rise. From pencil to LPG, prices have increased for essential items,” Congress veteran Kharge said before Naidu intervened, pointing out that there was no need to go into details as he had allowed only a mention of the issue.
Naidu said he was ready for a separate discussion as per rules and adjourned the House till lunch. After the break, protests led to adjournment for the day.