The Centre on Thursday offered a short-duration discussion on Manipur in the Rajya Sabha to counter the Opposition’s push for the suspension of business to discuss the situation in the northeastern state on the opening day of the monsoon session.

Energised by the new dynamics within their ranks since Tuesday’s Bangalore meeting and sensing that the government is on the back foot because of the outrage over the video of two Kuki women being paraded naked in Manipur, the Opposition pushed back on the offer of a short-duration discussion.

Since members had submitted notices under Rule 176 — which deals with a short-duration discussion — and Rule 267, which provides for suspension of business and a comprehensive discussion, the government seized on the former. Leader of the House Piyush Goyal said the government was ready for a discussion.

Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge questioned the opportunitygiven to Goyal to respond even before mentioning the notices submitted under Rule 267.

Trinamul’s Derek O’Brien insisted that the rules mandate that no business can be taken up till a matter under 267 is discussed first. Both he and Jairam Ramesh ofthe Congress said there should be a discussion on Manipur and it should begin with a statement by the Prime Minister.

With the two sides sticking to their guns, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar adjourned the House for lunch. A post-lunch attempt at ending the stalemate also proved futile as the Opposition stuck to their demand for a statement by none other than the Prime Minister followed by a discussion under Rule 267.

The Lok Sabha proceedings were also adjourned for the day amid noisy protests by Opposition members over the situation in Manipur.

As soon as the House assembled at 2pm, ministerslaid papers amid the din. Opposition members shouted slogans such as “Manipur Manipur” and “Manipur is burning”.

Parliamentary affairs minister Prahlad Joshi said the government has already made it clear that it was open to a discussion on Manipur in both Houses of Parliament.

He said deputy leader of the Lok Sabha Rajnath Singh has also given a similar assurance.

Joshi said that home minister Amit Shah would give a detailed reply once the discussion takes place, the time of which would be decided by the Speaker.

As Opposition members continued raising slogans, Kirit Solanki, who was chairing proceedings, adjourned the Lok Sabha for the day.