IN A dramatic turn of events, Opposition leaders, including Congress’s Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Samajwadi Party’s (SP)Akhilesh Yadav, were forcibly removed by police on Tuesday after they staged a dharna outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence here, demanding his resignation. The surprise sit-in in the high-security zone sent the government into a tizzy, prompting it to rush Minister of State (Contd on page 3) LS, RS adjourned for a day due to Oppn protests NEW DELHI, July 21 (PTI) LOK Sabha and Rajya Sabha proceedings were washed out for the second day on Tuesday as Opposition members protested seeking discussion on the NEET paper leak, the CJP protest and the alleged theft of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodha. The House was adjourned for the day after witnessing two repeated disruptions. As soon as the House took up the first question at 11 am, Opposition members started raising slogans on the NEET paper leak and The Prime Minister also told the ruling alliance’s MPs that those guilty in paper leaks should be given the strictest possible punishment, with the support of the country’s top lawyers, so that those involved in such a grave offence face exemplary action and such incidents do not recur. “The Prime Minister said strong action has been taken to ensure that no one plays with the future of youth.

 

The Prime Minister also said that to ensure that no future paper leaks take place, all State Governments and the Centre must join hands irrespective of party. This is not a matter of party politics but matter of national interests,” Rijiju said. Modi also stressed the need to punish the guilty and collaboratively establish a foolproof system. The Parliamentary Affairs Minister said the Prime Minister gave guidance to everyone present at the meeting. He said at the outset the newly-elected Rajya Sabha members, including BJP President Nitin Nabin, who was elected to the Upper House recently, was congratulated and wished success in Parliament. Rijiju said the meeting was very productive as the Prime Minister spoke on several important issues. The Prime Minister spoke about the achievements the country has made over the past few months and also briefed the NDA MPs on the free trade agreements (FTA) signed with several countries. On the FTAs, Rijiju said, Modi assured the NDA members that the interests of farmers would be prioritised and emphasised that no harm would come to them. The Prime Minister stressed that the welfare of farmers remains paramount in any FTA signed with any country and the Government is ensuring that these agreements serve the best interests of both the farmers and the nation, he said. Rijiju said the NDA would play a constructive role during the ongoing Monsoon Session.