Rajya Sabha witnesses multiple adjournments over Goa, Manipur

New Delhi, March 15: The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday witnessed multiple adjournments amid chaos over Congress' allegations that BJP murdered the democracy by not honouring the people's mandate in Goa and Manipur assembly elections.

The upper house was first adjourned soon after it assembled at 11 a.m. as Congress member Anand Sharma raised the issue saying the BJP was "violating mandate of the people" in Goa and Manipur. "Congress has emerged as the single-largest party in these two states and in case of no clear majority such party is invited to form the government," he said.

Sharma alleged that the BJP was "stealing MLAs". Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abas Naqvi tried to intervene but Congress member gathered in the well of the House and began shouting slogans against the BJP.

Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien, who kept on requesting the agitating members to go back to their seats, then adjourned the House till 11.30 a.m.

Similar scenes were again witnessed during the Question Hour at 12 noon. This time, Leader of the Opposition in the House Ghulam Nabi Azad raised the matter and said "it was a murder of democracy" and the issue should be discussed in the House.

"It's a question of India's democracy," he added. Chairman Mohammad Hamid Ansari requested him to take up the issue after lunch and "let the Question Hour proceed". Nobody paid any heed to his pleas and he adjourned the House for 15 minutes - till 12.19 p.m.

After two adjournments, the Upper House was again in chaos as Congress member gathered in front of the Chair shouting slogans against the government. The House was finally adjourned till 2.00 p.m.

IANS