The Rajya Sabha was repeatedly adjourned due to opposition's opposition to the dismissal of MPs

New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha was repeatedly adjourned as the opposition, including the Congress, Left parties and the TMC, continued to protest against the sacking of 12 MPs. Opposition groups called for the beleagured PM to resign. Home Minister Amit Shah made a statement on the Nagaland killings when the House was finally disbanded. His statement was similar to the statement of the Lok Sabha.

Earlier, the House was adjourned four times for various reasons. When the House met at 4 pm after adjourning for the fourth time, Deputy Chairman Harivansh asked Home Minister Amit Shah to make a statement on the Nagaland incident.

After Shah's statement, Harivansh asked the protesting members to return from their seats in the House and seek their clarification from the Minister. Not only the Rajya Sabha but also the Lok Sabha was in turmoil and the proceedings were not as expected.

Earlier, when the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the third time at 3 pm, Sasmit Patra, who was in the chair, asked for a brief discussion on the prevailing situation in the country due to inflation and rising prices of petroleum products.

Patra asked Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Khadge to speak on the issue. Against him, Khadge said the ban on the first 12 MPs should be lifted and they should be allowed to participate in the House debate.

Khadge said it was a crime in a democracy to hold a debate by suspending 12 MPs. Patra said that the resolution for the short discussion was to be brought by the members of the opposition only, now they do not want to discuss it themselves.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaram said they would take a decision on the issue. The opposition wanted to discuss and the government agreed. They talk about democracy and we agree with them. Isn't it the spirit of democracy and the House that the government is willing to discuss?

Union Petroleum Minister Piyush Goyal blamed non-BJP-ruled and non-NDA governments for the rise in prices of petroleum products. He said the central government and the BJP-ruled states have made it cheaper by reducing taxes on petroleum products, but the non-BJP and non-NDA governments are not reducing taxes.