'You are testing the patience of the country': Venkaiah Naidu snaps at Rajya Sabha MPs over disruptions

NEW DELHI: Agitated by repeated disruptions in the Rajya Sabha, Chairman Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday lashed out at the members of the Upper House and said that the patience of the country is being tested. "We have not transacted any bills. The country wants development, you are testing the patience of the people of the country. Please understand that the entire country is agitated with what is happening in the House," Naidu said while adjourning the House till 2 pm.

The uproar began on Wednesday shortly after 12 newly-elected and re-elected MPs took oath in the House. Opposition MPs started hurling slogans to protest and even entered the well of the House. While the Chairman pleaded with them to return to their seats, the protesting members did not pay any heed. Naidu repeatedly said that nothing is going on record but the sloganeering continued. On failing to stop the protests, he adjourned the House till 2 pm. 

"I've allowed every issue, you are not discussing, unfortunately. It is the misfortune of the people of India. Chairman allows discussion, the government agrees but we are not able to have a discussion. I do not understand what is this. This is no good. This is murdering democracy. The entire country is agitated, depressed," Naidu said. 

While MPs belonging to the Congress and the BSP were protesting against softening of certain provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Tamil parties - DMK and AIADMK demanded immediate constitution of the Cauvery Water Management Board for the division of river water between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Members of the TDP and KVP Ramachandra Rao of the Congress held placards demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh.

Naidu also noted that just two days were left before the session ends on Friday and it was imperative that some legislative business was transacted in these days. However, the disruptions continued. 

A massive uproar was also seen in the House on Tuesday when 41 members took oath in Rajya Sabha. The House transacted business for just for 37 minutes on Tuesday when the newly elected and re-elected members took the oath.

Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha also witnessed disruptions following which Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House till Thursday. It was the 20th consecutive day on Wednesday when the Houses could not function due to the disruptions.

Both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha have not transacted substantial business ever since it met on March 5 after a recess to carry forward the Budget session. The two houses have been witnessing repeated disruptions by different parties on matters like bank frauds, Cauvery river water, special status for Andhra Pradesh and issues related to Dalits.