The Nandigram issue continued to echo in Parliament for the second successive day on Tuesday with the Opposition stalling proceedings in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance stalled proceedings in the Rajya Sabha demanding an immediate debate on violence in Nandigram even as government expressed its willingness for a discussion on any issue.
The House was adjourned for the day when it re-assembled at noon after agitated Opposition members stormed the well and shouted slogans demanding discussion on the Nandigram issue.
"The government is ready for a discussion on any issue. This sort of disruption (in the House) should not be there. But the rule and wordings of the motion has to be decided by the House," Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Suresh Pachouri said amidst uproar.
Pachouri's efforts to mollify the Opposition members failed to yield any result and they kept shouting slogans in the well.
In the din, some Samajwadi Party members left their seats and moved into the aisle demanding a fair deal for sugar cane growers in Uttar Pradesh.
As there was no sign of normalcy being restored, Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan adjourned the House till Wednesday after laying of papers.
Earlier during Questions Hour, the same scenario prevailed and no question could be taken up as the House was adjourned till noon.
In the Lok Sabha, slogan-shouting NDA members were on their feet as soon as the House assembled for the day demanding suspension of Question Hour to take up a discussion on Nandigram violence.
They rushed into the well demanding an immediate debate on the matter.
Expressing displeasure at the attitude of NDA members, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said a discussion can be allowed only if a motion in this regard is moved in a 'proper form.'
He said a meeting of leaders of political parties was held on Monday where it was decided that the debate will be held in a proper manner.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister P R Dasmunsi, while referring to Monday's meeting, said the government had no objection to a short duration discussion within the framework of proper rules and consent of the Chair.
The Speaker said the parties should sit together and decide in what form the discussion can be held. When the House reassembled, similar scenes were witnessed prompting the Speaker to adjourn the House till 1400 hours.
Before adjourning the House, the Speaker said he had talked to Leader of the Opposition L K Advani on Monday and asked him not to insist on an adjournment motion and give a proper notice for discussion.
A meeting of leaders of all political parties was held in his chamber to discuss under which rule the debate can be held, he said. Addressing NDA members, Chatterjee said: "Every day you give notice for an adjournment motion and demand suspension of Question Hour. How this House will run in such a situation? Why come to this House?"
He said he would hold another meeting with leaders to find a way out.
Biju Janata Dal's Braj Kishore Tripathi said before the meeting, the Speaker can suo motu give permission for debate 'if you (Speaker) want.' This remark angered Chatterjee who questioned the 'insinuation' behind the comment.
Deputy Leader of Lok Sabha V K Malhotra said NDA members had been pressing for a discussion on Nandigram for the last two days as no such 'gory' incident had taken place so far. This remark triggered a brief verbal duel between Treasury and Opposition benches.
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