After the commencement of business on the fourth day of the ongoing winter session today, Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said the House could not transact any business during the last three days. Mr Naidu urged both the Opposition and treasury benches to hold discussions and let the House function, raising concerns over the continued disruptions.
Speaking at the House, the Rajya Sabha Chairman said, "I urge both the sides of this august House to talk it out and let the House do its mandated job."
Days after Mr Naidu suspended 12 members of Parliament for their alleged ''misconduct'' in the House, Rajya Sabha MP Elamaram Kareem, who is one of the suspended MPs, said that he will continue to protest against the illegal and anti-democratic action of the Rajya Sabha Chairman. Mr Kareem said, "We, 12 MPs, had started a dharna. In the morning, our fellow MPs assembled in front of the Gandhi statue near Parliament premises and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi inaugurated the dharna. Our protest is against the illegal, anti-democratic action of the Rajya Sabha Chairman and government."
Opposition members continued to protest today as well against the suspension of 12 of their Rajya Sabha MPs. Several Opposition parties also staged a walkout in the Rajya Sabha over the issue of inflation as well as the suspension of MPs.
The winter session of the Parliament commenced on Monday and is likely to conclude on December 23.