NEW DELHI: With the 25 Congress Members returning to the Lok Sabha after suspension, the stalemate over the ‘Lalitgate’ and Vpaman scams re-emerged today which forced the Chair to order two adjournments in a row for a total period of one hour. As Speaker Sumitra Mahajan called for proceedings of Question Hour, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge rose to make a point over notices for adjournment that were given by him and his colleagues for suspension of Question Hour and discussion on the ‘Lalitgate’ and Vyapam scam but the Speaker rejected their demand. However, Mr Kharge said, “Since External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had made a detailed statement in the House over the ‘Lalitgate’, going a bit beyond some facts, in the absence of the Opposition Members, we want to set straight the records and make our point for which we have given the notices of adjournment. The Speaker said, “I have rejected your notices, but I shall allow you to speak after Question Hour. Right now, the House should be allow to function smoothly. This did not satisfy Mr Kharge and fellow Opposition Members who trooped into the Well with placards and posters in their hands and resorted to slogan shouting. Meanwhile, Ms Mahajan proceeded for Question Hour amid the din but questions and answers were marred by the pandemonium. This continued for about 20 minutes then Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav tried to persuade the Chair to bring the House in order. However, the Speaker said, “The Opposition Members are in the Well disrupting the House therefore, you and Mr Kharge are supposed to restore normalcy by asking them to get back to their seats”. Mr Yadav said, “I am also of the view that disruptions and mobbing into the Well should not continue for long and the House should function properly, but the situation is to be addressed by the Chair only”. “You convene a meeting of leaders from both sides, please invite us and the issue would be solved, you did not even invite us”. But the Speaker asserted “I did convene meetings but they did not come. First take commitment from Mr Kharge whether he and his party colleagues would attend the meeting. I shall adjourn the House right now to convene the meeting, but I want an assurance from them”. Then sloganeering resumed amid which Mr Yadav, Congress Parliamentary Party Chief Sonia Gandhi, Mr Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Kamal Nath were seen interacting for some time. Soon after, Ms Mahajan adjourned the House for half-an-hour at 11:30 hrs. On reassembling, Deputy Speaker M Thambi Durai ordered another adjournment for half-an-hour within minutes as the Congress Members against mobbed into the Well raising slogans and displaying placards. (AGENCIES)
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