The Rajya Sabha was adjourned until 2 p.m. on Thursday due to a stalemate over the Opposition’s demand for a discussion on the Manipur violence under Rule 167 and remarks by Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge over the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the debate.
Kharge urged the chair to allow discussion of Manipur under Rule 167 and requested the presence of Prime Minister Modi. When ruling members complained, he slammed them.
“Pradhan Mantri ke aane se kya hone wala hai, kya parmatma hai woh? Yeh koi bhagwan nahi hai (What will happen if PM Modi comes, is he God. He is not God)” he said.
In the midst of the impasse, the Rajya Sabha Chairman adjourned the House until 2 p.m. Previously, members of the opposition and treasury benches blamed each other for the House’s gridlock over the demand for a discussion on the Manipur crisis.
The Chairman rejected notices submitted under Rule 267 for discussion of the Manipur issue.
Referring the Opposition and Treasury benches, he stated that both sides have adopted a firm stance and questioned if there could be a meeting of minds. He sought the views of Kharge and House Leader Piyush Goyal.
The House has been at a standstill due to the opposition’s demand for a discussion on Manipur under Rule 267 and the presence of Prime Minister Modi. The government has stated its willingness to engage in a detailed discussion under Rule 176.
