New Delhi, December 12, 2001.
A determined and united Opposition today continued to stall the proceedings of Parliament for the second consecutive day, forcing adjournments in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, demanding the resignation of Defence Minister George Fernandes over the coffin scam.
The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha both adjourned for the day without transacting any business as vociferous Opposition members stalled proceedings raising slogans “coffin chor, gaddi chhoro” (coffin swindler should quit).
While the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day when it reassembled at 12 noon after the first adjournment, the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day minutes after it met again after lunch at 2.30 pm. when Deputy Speaker P.M. Sayeed sensed that the members were not in a mood to budge even after ensuring two adjournments in the pre-lunch session.
Trouble began soon after both Houses met for the day as members raised the issue of CAG findings about irregularities in defence procurement, including coffins for Kargil martyrs.
Displaying the CAG report, they demanded immediate resignation of the Defence Minister, who has been under Opposition attack since his re-induction into the Union Cabinet in October.
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who returned from a five-day tour of Japan last night, was present in the Lok Sabha when the House met.
Due to uproar in the Lok Sabha, Home Minister L.K. Advani again failed to introduce the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Bill to replace the POTO for the second day today.
The Opposition had stonewalled the bill’s introduction yesterday.
Soon after the Rajya Sabha assembled for question hour in the morning, the House was thrown into turmoil as Opposition members were on their feet shouting “coffin chor, gaddi chhoro”. Within minutes, Chairman Krishan Kant adjourned the House till 12 noon.
When it met again, the Opposition persisted with its demand for the resignation of Defence Minister George Fernandes and the Chairman adjourned the House for the day after listed papers were tabled amidst the din.
Congress and Left party members were seen waving copies of the CAG report which indicted the government for financial impropriety on defence purchases for Kargil operations, including procurement of coffins for the dead war heroes.
Some members displayed newspapers carrying the CAG report today.
In the Lok Sabha, agitated Opposition members raised slogans as soon as the House assembled in the morning, pressing for the ouster of Mr Fernandes.
Unlike yesterday when Opposition members stormed the well defying the recently adopted Code of Conduct and threw papers, today leaders of various parties directed their members against moving in to the well.
With no signs of restoration of order, Speaker G M C Balayogi adjourned the House till mid-day.
It was a repeat of the morning uproar when the House re-assembled with Opposition members shouting “gaddi chhoro” (leave the chair) and “Sena khoon bahati hai, sarkar dalali khati hai” (Soldiers shed blood, government takes commission).
As the din continued, Deputy Speaker Sayeed adjourned the House till 2.30 pm.
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