The Rajya Sabha witnessed disruptions for the eighth consecutive day on Wednesday, and faced repeated adjournments. The House passed a motion to suspend senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh. He is the 20th opposition MP to be suspended for a week. “Singh brought disrespect to the Chair through his behaviour,” Deputy Chairman Harivansh said.
Earlier in the day, Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu told the House that the adjournment motions moved by MPs such as Tiruchi Siva, Binoy Viswam and K.C. Venugopal on Goods and Services Tax (GST) can be taken up in the normal course. “I have already admitted some of them under other motions so I am not admitting them,” he said. The opposition protested and Mr. Naidu adjourned the House till Noon without taking up the Zero Hour.
At 12 p.m., Mr. Harivansh invoked Rule 256 and named AAP member Mr. Singh. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V. Muraleedharan moved a motion to suspend Mr. Singh from the House for the remainder of the week and it was adopted by voice vote. Mr. Harivansh urged Mr. Singh to leave the House but the ruckus continued and he adjourned the House for 15 minutes. When the House met again, Mr. Singh remained in the Well of the House. Mr. Harivansh asked him again to move out and adjourned the House till 2 p.m.
