Parliament adjourned over alleged misuse of CBI by Modi govt

Rajya Sabha proceedings were on Monday washed out amid ruckus by Trinamool Congress members protesting over the issue of alleged misuse of the CBI by the Centre.

As soon as the House resumed in the afternoon, TMC leader Derek O'Brien asked Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu about his notice for discussion on the issue.

Replying to this, Naidu said, "I have told you in the morning that you can raise this issue during Zero Hour. During the motion of thanks to the President's address to Parliament, you can also raise the issue and others related to your state."

In the meanwhile, TMC and SP members trooped into the well and started raising slogans.

The chairman said, "You don't want discussion. You don't want to speak on reply to the motion of thanks (to President's address)".

When TMC members did not show any signs of relenting, Naidu adjourned the House for the day.

Earlier in the morning, the Rajya Sabha could not transact any major business. As soon as the house assembled, Slogan shouting by TMC members on the issue resulted in adjournment of the House till 2 PM.

Naidu had asked agitating members to raise the issue during the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address but TMC members did not heed to the suggestion and started raising slogans like "Save the Constitution" and moved towards the Well.

Naidu then adjourned the House till 2 pm.

As soon as the ministers laid listed papers on the table of the House, some opposition members were on their feet.

Naidu said he has received several notices, including from Derek O'Brien of the TMC on the CBI issue.

"I have not admitted any one of them (notices)," Naidu had said, adding members will get an opportunity to raise "important matter at length" during the debate on the President's address.

However, TMC member had started raising slogans and some members started moving towards the Well leading to adjournment.

In an unprecedented development on Sunday evening, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sat on a dharna, protesting CBI's attempt to quiz Kolkata Police chief Rajeev Kumar in connection with chit fund scams.

A CBI team, which went to Kumar's residence in the city's Loudon Street area, was denied permission, bundled into police jeeps and were whisked to a police station.

The CBI wants to quiz Kumar, who led a Special Investigation Team of West Bengal Police probing the scams, regarding missing documents and files.

Several political leaders, including Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and RJD national president Lalu Prasad came out in support of Banerjee.

Gandhi called up Banerjee and extended support to her, saying the entire opposition is together and will defeat "fascist" forces.

The Lok Sabha on Monday was adjourned for the day following protests and sloganeering by Trinamool Congress members over the alleged misuse of the CBI in West Bengal.

Soon after the House met at 2 PM, members of Trinamool Congress trooped into to the well and started raising slogans like "Chowkidar chor hai" and "CBI tota hai" (CBI is a parrot)"

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narendra Singh Tomar made a plea to agitating members to go back to their seats, stating it was time for motion of thanks on the President's address.

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said the CBI matter is already in the Supreme Court and let the apex court decide.

The House was adjourned for the second time till 2 PM after the Zero Hour went on for around 25 minutes.

Members of the Trinamool Congress, who alleged that the Centre was misusing the CBI to politically capture West Bengal, trooped into the Well during the Zero Hour.

Members from other parties, including the TDP, SP and Congress, were also in the Well.

Soon after the papers were laid, the Speaker allowed Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy to speak about the incident in Kolkata involving the CBI and the Kolkata Police.

BJD leader B Mahtab, Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and those from the Left, SP, NCP and RJD also spoke against the Centre during the Zero Hour.

Saumitra Khan, who won on Trinamool Congress ticket and recently joined the BJP, also spoke from Treasury benches.

When Home Minister Rajnath Singh started to speak on the issue, wherein he also said that Sunday's incident was unfortunate, Trinamool Congress members trooped into the Well and began shouting slogans. Some of them were also seen clapping.

Mahajan continued with the Zero Hour for less than ten minutes and as the protests continued, the proceedings were adjourned till 2 PM.

Amid the din, the Speaker asked the protesting members to go back to their seats but they did not relent.

Earlier, the House was adjourned till noon following protests by Trinamool Congress members over alleged "misuse" of the CBI by the central government.

In an unprecedented development Sunday evening, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee started a dharna, protesting CBI's attempt to quiz Kolkata Police chief Rajeev Kumar in connection with chit fund scams.

A CBI team, which went to Kumar's residence in the city's Loudon Street area, was denied permission, bundled into police jeeps and whisked to a police station on Sunday.

The CBI wants to quiz Kumar, who led a Special Investigation Team of West Bengal Police probing the scams, regarding missing documents and files.

Some Congress members were seen displaying placards about alleged scam in the Rafale deal.

Several political leaders, including Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and RJD national president Lalu Prasad, came out in support of Banerjee.

After adjournment of the House, Trinamool Congress leader Kalyan Banerjee and Idris Ali were seen chatting with BJP members.