Both Houses adjourned thrice over PM's statement at NDC

New Delhi, Dec 11 (UNI) Both Houses of Parliament could not transact any business in the pre-lunch sitting today as Opposition members stalled the proceedings demanding Prime Minister Manmohan Singh apologise for his remark on minorites.

The Houses were first adjourned till 1130 hrs, then till 1200 hrs and finally till 1400 hrs as the opposition members shouted slogans, demanding that the Prime Minister come to the House and apologise to the nation for stating that minorities should have the first claim on resources.

As soon the Houses assembled in the morning, the BJP members shouted slogans of ''Pradhan Mantri, Mafi Mango (Prime Minister apologise)''.

In the Lok Sabha, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, trying to persuade the members sit down, assured them that he would give them a chance to raise the issue during Zero Hour. However as his pleas fell on deaf ears, Mr Chatterjee adjourned the House.

In the Upper House, Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekahwat said he would not allow the Question Hour to be suspended as no prior notice had been given for it.

He said he was willing to have a discussion over the matter after the Question Hour was over. However, this did not satisfy the Opposition Members and they kept on vociferously expressing their demands. Some of them later trooped into the well of the House, forcing him to adjourn the house.

When the House reassembled, Deputy Chairman K Rehman Khan cajoled with the Opposition to allow the Questions to be taken up. However, they once again trooped into the well of the House, forcing him to adjourn the chamber again.

When the Rajya Sabha reassembled at 1200 hrs, Mr Khan asked the ministers to lay down the papers in the house. Ministers Sushilkumar Shinde, Shish Ram Ola, A R Antulay, Kapil Sibal, Renuka Chowdhary and Subodh Kant Sahay laid papers concerning their ministries in the house. Ms Nirmla Deshpande (nominated) laid the paper regarding empowerment of women while RJD leader Ramdeo Singh Bhandary also laid his paper, but nothing could be heard in the din. Thereupon, Mr Khan adjourned the House till 1400 hrs.

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