Anna Hazare's fast on the issue of Lokpal cast its shadow on Parliament on Tuesday with both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha witnessing repeated adjournments over Lokpal Bill.The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned for the day without transacting any business after the two Houses witnessed two adjournments each.
It was trouble from the word go with BJP giving notices in both Houses for suspension of Question Hour to discuss the serious situation caused by lakhs of people in the country coming out on the streets to protest against corruption.
In the Lok Sabha, Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj hit out at the government saying "it cannot wash its hands off the protests which are a result of the deep-rooted corruption in the government."
Swaraj dubbed the Lokpal Bill introduced by the government in the Lok Sabha as "poor, weak and ineffective".
The Lok Sabha also witnessed clashes between DMK and BJP members over issues to be taken up for discussion.
BJP members wanted an immediate discussion on corruption in the backdrop of Hazare's agitation, while the DMK pressed for a debate on Sri Lankan Tamils as listed in the agenda.
Both the Houses saw two adjournments - first soon after it met for the day and then at noon till 2 PM.
When the House met at 2 PM, the BJP and DMK members clashed again and Deputy Speaker Kariya Munda adjourned it for the day.
The story in the Rajya Sabha was no different. As soon as the House reassembled at 2 PM, BJP members rushed to the well and raised slogans, forcing the Chair to adjourn the House for the day.
BJP members led by Purshottam Rupala and Rudra Narayan Pany and AIADMK members raised slogans demanding a statement from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the Hazare issue.
In the Lok Sabha, as soon as the Speaker took up the first listed question, Opposition members were on their feet demanding suspension of Question Hour and discussion on corruption.
The Speaker said there was no rule that allows suspension of the Question Hour. However, as a special case she would allow leaders of parties to put forth their views on corruption and take up the Question Hour thereafter.
She then called Swaraj to speak. As Swaraj made references to several scams allegedly involving some Union ministers, Parliamentary Affairs Minister P K Bansal objected to it contending that the Leader of the Opposition was speaking on a matter which was beyond the ambit of the notice.
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