Opposition close ranks over Arunachal issue; disrupt RS proceedings

New Delhi: Opposition on Friday closed ranks in Rajya Sabha demanding recall of Arunachal Pradesh Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa, forcing three adjournments in the pre-lunch session as Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party staged a walk-out over the issue.

Protesting in the House for the fourth consecutive day on the issue, Leader of the Opposition and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said he has given a notice for adjournment of business to discuss the Arunachal Pradesh issue saying the central government was responsible for the stalemate in Parliament for the past several days.

The Governor, he claimed, called a session of the assembly without the consent or recommendation of the Cabinet and Chief Minister, set the agenda, decided on the seating arrangement, set the priority of items to be taken up including removal and its reporting to him.

This is "unprecedented" in the Indian history as neither the President of India nor any Governor had called a session of Parliament or Assembly without the Cabinet approval, he said.

"No President or Governor gave directions as to who will sit on Chair, what item will be taken up, who will be removed," Azad said.

The Opposition members charged the Governor with "unconstitutional" conduct after the Gauhati High Court put on hold all his decision including move to advance the winter session of the assembly by a month.

Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien tried to conduct the listed business, calling members to make Zero Hour submissions but the slogan shouting drowned what the members said.

With members refusing to heed to his pleas, he adjourned the House till 1200 hours when Congress members trooped into the Well. When the House met again, members of Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party staged a walk out, while Congress members were again in the well. Expressing solidarity, members from AIADMK, CPI-M, and JD-U were also on their feet, shouting slogans "Recall Governor"

"We are doing a protest walk out," said Sukhendu Sekhar Roy of TMC. Kiranmoy Nanda of also said something before walking out, which was not audible in the din.