Lokpal debate: Oppn forces RS adjournment over PM's absence

New Delhi, Dec 29: A determined Opposition today forced brief adjournment of Rajya Sabha demanding presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the debate on Lokpal Bill, which was moved in the House on the last day of the winter session.

Immediately after Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V Narayanasamy moved for consideration the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011, BJP members were on their feet asking where the Prime Minister, who is also the Leader of the House, was.

Despite repeated assurances by Chairman Hamid Ansari that the Prime Minister was on his way to the House, the Opposition members did not relent charging that the government is "not interested".

Ansari wanted that the Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley should initiate the debate. But as the din continued, he adjourned the House for 10 minutes.

The proceedings resumed only after the Prime Minister reached the House and Jaitley began his speech.

PTI