The Rajya Sabha functioned for 36 minutes on Thursday morning, spending a significant time debating the rule under which a discussion on Manipur should be held but adjourned without any consensus. Indicating a complete breakdown in the communication between the Treasury and the Opposition, Leader of the House Piyush Goyal revealed the details of a closed-door discussion between the two sides when the Opposition moved a resolution on Manipur — under Rule 167 in what was supposed to be the agreed “middle path”.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar informed the House that he had received notices under three sets of rules — 267, 176 and 167. Forty-eight notices were moved under 267 out of which 45 pertained to a demand for holding debate on the ongoing violence and unrest in Manipur. Shiv Sena (Udhav) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi and AAP MP Sushil Gupta in their notices also demanded a debate on communal violence in Haryana. And DMK member P. Wilson wanted a debate on the Governor’s powers. All the notices were rejected for being not in conformity with the rules.
Another 19 notices were received for a short duration discussion under Rule 176, 18 of these expressing concern over “pushing the agenda of communist party of India, by an Indian online” and one on Haryana.
And three notices, under Rule 167, were moved by DMK’s Tiruchi Siva, CPI(M)’s Elamaram Kareem and CPI’s Binoy Viswam on Manipur.
To break the impasse between the two sides over the rule position in the August 3 meeting a consensus was built to tread the middle path — of moving a “mutually negotiated” resolution on Manipur under 167.
Angry with the Opposition for “unilaterally” moving the resolution without consulting the Treasury, Mr. Goyal launched a blistering attack on the Opposition. He started revealing details of the August 3 closed-door meeting between the two sides. “They wanted a informal meeting to find the way out, I invited four opposition leaders to meet me for a cup of tea in my room, but they refused. They could not walk to my room, therefore, I along with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi went to Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge’s room,” he said, even as Chairman Mr. Dhankhar tried to dissuade him from revealing contents of discussion outside the House. He pleaded that the middle path now offered under Rule 167 should be taken up but Mr. Goyal wasn’t convinced.
Intervening in the exchange, Mr. Kharge reiterated that the Opposition was ready for debate whenever required but underlined that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presence was essential. The House was adjourned after both sides erupted in protests.
‘Govt. is obstinate’
Congress Chief Whip Jairam Ramesh posted on X (formerly Twitter), “The Chairman is making every effort to break the logjam. INDIA parties have even offered to sit with those deputed by the BJP to arrive at a mutually acceptable draft if need be. But the Modi Govt is obstinate — it is simply my way or the highway. Clearly, it does not want a debate. And of course, it is adamant that the PM will not speak on Manipur in the Rajya Sabha.”
In the afternoon too, the Upper House witnessed disturbances over the Manipur issue. Mr. Dhankhar said he continued his efforts to find truce over the rule on which the discussion on Manipur violence could be taken up. He said he interacted with the floor leaders and members. “Notices under Rule 167 could be a way out, that was the impression of most leaders,” he said, adding that things would take a positive turn. He requested the leaders to take steps so that Manipur issue could be discussed in Parliament. But no consensus could be reached. After about half an hour of arguments, Mr. Dhankhar invited Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal to introduce the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill. Opposition started protests and sloganeering. After that, Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw introduced the Post Office Bill. The Pharmacy (Amendment) Bill was taken up for consideration and passing. It was passed within minutes.
