Rajnath Singh's two-hour reply tests the patience of MPs

New Delhi, Aug 12: The over two-hour reply of Home Minister Rajnath Singh in the Rajya Sabha this evening tested the patience of the Opposition benches, many of whose members turned restive. Even Deputy Chairman P J Kurien asked Singh a few times how long he would take to complete his reply.

As Singh took pains to answer the points raised by each member who participated in the over eight-hour debate on the Home Ministry's functioning, opposition members pointed out that a member to whom he was replying was not present.

Members in the Opposition benches were seen gesturing at each other, displaying their impatience, while those in the treasury benches were seen enjoying the Opposition's plight.

While Satyavrat Chaturvedi of Congress said they will not ask the Home Minister any questions again, his colleague Anand Sharma was seen gesturing at the minister with folded hands, apparently indicating his fatigue.

Senior CPM leader Sitaram Yechury said the government has indeed tested their patience and it was a "good strategy" to "tackle" the opposition.

Many Opposition members turned impatient to leave the House and some, who wanted to seek a clarification from the minister, were promptly gagged by colleagues.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Prakash Javadekar was observed sending a chit to the Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad that brought smiles on the Congress member's face.

At the end of the Home Minister's speech, Kurien said, "the House compliments you for replying to every member's point" and members were seen greeting each other when the House was adjourned.

PTI