Until that minute, Rajya Sabha lawmakers thought they would spend Wednesday evening enjoying a sumptuous Andhra feast in Vice President Venkaiah Naidu’s company.
The Rajya Sabha Chairman even spoke to President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad and floor leaders of the parties he’d invited. Sources told that preparations were done and dusted as early as last week – specialist chefs from Andhra Pradesh were to cook up tasty southern treats for Naidu’s guests.
But the legislators’ hopes of embarking on a gastronomic tour of Andhra Pradesh – a state renowned for its spicy cuisine – were dashed today. For Naidu, who expected House proceedings to normalize by today, told them of his anguish over the ongoing stalemate?
He said he was cancelling the dinner. The vice-president thinks it wouldn’t appropriate for him to host the event when the House hasn’t been functioning, the sources said.
Huge Respect for VP Venkaiah Naidu who cancels dinner for MPs over frequent disruptions in Rajya Sabha.
India must develop oath for Rajya & Lok Sabha members – I’ll not disrupt house functioning. If I’ll, My membership can be cancelled + Huge Fine.
Apply ‘No Work = No Pay’ policy
Huge Respect for VP Venkaiah Naidu who cancels dinner for MPs over frequent disruptions in Rajya Sabha.
India must develop oath for Rajya & Lok Sabha members – I'll not disrupt house functioning. If I'll, My membership can be cancelled + Huge Fine.
Apply 'No Work = No Pay' policy— Anshul Saxena (@AskAnshul) March 20, 2018
“It is learnt,” that Venkaiah Naidu last week refused to inaugurate a badminton tournament for MP’s at Delhi’s Constitution Club, whose members are current and former parliamentarians.
PARLIAMENT DIDN’T FUNCTION FOR 12TH STRAIGHT DAY
It’s true. Today is the 12th day in a row that Parliament has not functioned. A ruckus created by parties from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu paralyzed legislature proceedings and caused both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha to be adjourned. The Rajya Sabha session lasted just a half hour.
Neither House has transacted substantial business since March 5.
Apparently upset over the Parliament logjam, Vice President and Rajya Sabha chairman M Venkaiah Naidu has cancelled the dinner he was going to host for Rajya Sabha MP’s.
During the daily meeting with floor leaders in his chamber, Naidu informed them that he had decided to call off the dinner as he thought it would not be “appropriate” when the House has not functioned for two weeks, sources said. The meeting was attended by 12 leaders after several days of thin attendance which prompted Naidu to raise the issue of attendance with the Rajya Sabha secretariat.
It is learnt that at Tuesday’s meeting, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad told Naidu that the opposition parties are keen that the House functions and important issues are discussed. MoS, Parliamentary Affairs, Vijay Goel agreed, but when the House met, disruptions continued.
Perfect. They deserve this. Nothing special being an MP. Opposition MPs are worse than street dogs. Sonia n Pappu breeding pigs n dogs instead of honourable members. Municipality shd send dog squads n take them to quarantise.
Perfect. They deserve this. Nothing special being an MP. Opposition MPs are worse than street dogs. Sonia n Pappu breeding pigs n dogs instead of honourable members. Municipality shd send dog squads n take them to quarantise.
— pgotimukul (@3101gp) March 21, 2018
The meeting was attended by the Congress, Trinamool Congress, DMK, Left Front and the BSP, among other parties. According to sources, it was decided that Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad would speak to put the Opposition’s willingness to run the House on record. They also reached out to the AIADMK requesting them for to halt their protests for a few minutes so that Mr. Azad could speak. But the AIADMK, despite its assurance, did not stick to its word.
After the meeting, the leaders also met Mr. Naidu to convey that the Opposition wanted the House to run and said they specifically wanted to discuss three issues: bank scams, special package for Andhra Pradesh and the Cauvery Management Board. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Vijay Goel assured them of the Government’s support. He also sought the Opposition’s help to pass the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill.
Despite the talks, the protests by members of the AIAMDK, TDP and others continued unabated in the House and the Rajya Sabha could not transact any business. Mr. Naidu has repeatedly aired his anguish on the disruptions.
Source: Times of India
Kshitija
