LOK Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day on Friday following unabated protests by Opposition members over various issues. Friday was the second day when the House could not take up discussion on the Union Budget presented on February 1. As the House reassembled at 12 noon after an earlier adjournment, Opposition members continued with their protests by trooping into the Well of the House. Chairing the proceedings, Krishna Prasad Tenneti urged Opposition to take their seats and put down placards. As Opposition members refused to relent, he adjourned the House till Monday. Earlier Speaker Om Birla lamenting that he cannot run “such a House”.

 

The Speaker noted that 19 hours and 13 minutes have been wasted due to disruptions in the current session and said members are disrespecting the House. Lok Sabha has been witnessing disruptions since Monday afternoon after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi was disallowed by the chair from quoting an article based on the excerpts of former Army chief M M Naravane’s ‘unpublished memoir’ in which he has referred to the India-China conflict of 2020. While urging protesting members to allow the House to run, Birla also said there is a question marked for Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi. As the din continued, the Speaker adjourned proceedings within less than four minutes of convening. Warning Opposition members against crossing over to the treasury benches, he said, “I cannot run such a House.” The Government and the Opposition are at loggerheads over various issues.