The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said on Wednesday, December 11, that he held a meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and urged him to remove allegations against him by BJP members of parliament. Gandhi also said that the Congress wants the House to function.

“I held a meeting with the Speaker. I told him that derogatory comments against me should be expunged. The Speaker said that he would look into it...Our aim is that the House must run and discussion should happen in the House. No matter what they say about me, we want to have a debate on 13th December...They don't want a discussion on Adani. In the end, we will not leave this. They will keep levelling allegations on us but the House must function,” Gandhi told reporters.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/both-houses-of-parliament-adjourned-after-opposition-stages-protests-over-adani-issue-782678">India: Both Houses of Parliament adjourned after opposition stages protests over Adani issue</a>

“We want debate and discussion to happen. On December 13, there was a commitment to have a debate on the Constitution. We want that debate to happen. They can say anything about me. They can. On December 13, there will be debate,” he added.

On December 5, BJP Lok Sabha MPs Nishikant Dubey and Sambit Patra alleged that Congress’s top leaders have connections with Hungarian-American billionaire philanthropist and investor George Soros.

The following day, Dubey brought up Soros and the global investigative news network OCCRP (Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project) in the House, saying “Congress has relations with OCCRP, which gets all its funds from the US government and George Soros. Did Rahul Gandhi take money from George Soros for the Bharat Jodo Yatra?”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/opposition-mps-protest-over-adani-issue-stage-mock-interview-in-parliament-782662">Opposition MPs protest over Adani issue, stage mock 'interview' in parliament</a>

The statement made by him resulted in a protest by Congress MPs. After this, the House was adjourned.

Gandhi has accused the BJP of creating “unfounded” allegations to divert the attention from the Adani issue, over which the Congress staged a dramatic protest in the Parliament on Monday, December 9.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said on Wednesday, December 11, that he held a meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and urged him to remove allegations against him by BJP members of parliament.

The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said on Wednesday, December 11, that he held a meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and urged him to remove allegations against him by BJP members of parliament. Gandhi also said that the Congress wants the House to function. “I held a meeting with the Speaker. I told him that derogatory comments against me should be expunged. The Speaker said that he would look into it...Our aim is that the House must run and discussion should happen in the House. No matter what they say about me, we want to have a debate on 13th December...They don't want a discussion on Adani. In the end, we will not leave this. They will keep levelling allegations on us but the House must function,” Gandhi told reporters. Also read | India: Both Houses of Parliament adjourned after opposition stages protests over Adani issue “We want debate and discussion to happen. On December 13, there was a commitment to have a debate on the Constitution. We want that debate to happen. They can say anything about me. They can. On December 13, there will be debate,” he added. On December 5, BJP Lok Sabha MPs Nishikant Dubey and Sambit Patra alleged that Congress’s top leaders have connections with Hungarian-American billionaire philanthropist and investor George Soros. The following day, Dubey brought up Soros and the global investigative news network OCCRP (Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project) in the House, saying “Congress has relations with OCCRP, which gets all its funds from the US government and George Soros. Did Rahul Gandhi take money from George Soros for the Bharat Jodo Yatra?” Also read | Opposition MPs protest over Adani issue, stage mock 'interview' in parliament The statement made by him resulted in a protest by Congress MPs. After this, the House was adjourned. Gandhi has accused the BJP of creating “unfounded” allegations to divert the attention from the Adani issue, over which the Congress staged a dramatic protest in the Parliament on Monday, December 9. (With inputs from agencies)

Rahul Gandhi meets Lok Sabha Speaker, urges him to expunge ‘derogatory’ comments against him

Cracking the whip, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Wednesday suspended 24 members of AIADMK for five sitting days for continuously disrupting the House.

The Speaker invoked Rule 374(A) against the erring members after they did not heed to her repeated pleas for maintaining order in the House, Parliament sources said.

On Wednesday, some members even threw papers toward the Speaker's Chair.

The AIADMK members have been continuously creating uproar in the House and even displaying placards to protest against the proposed Mekedatu dam in Karnataka on Cauvery river.

The AIADMK claims that the dam will affect farmers in Tamil Nadu.

Commenting on the Mahajan's action, AIADMK leader M Thambidurai, who is also Deputy Speaker, said the protest is their democratic right.

"We are not questioning the Speaker's decision" but the government is not responding to the concerns raised "democratically by us," he said.

He alleged that the Central BJP-led government had given approval to Karnataka to build Mekedatu dam as it wants to get some seats in that state.

The Rule 374(A) reads: "... in the event of grave disorder occasioned by a member coming into the well of the House or abusing the Rules of the House persistently and willfully obstructing its business by shouting slogans or otherwise, such member shall, on being named by the Speaker, stand automatically suspended from the service of the House for five consecutive sittings or the remainder of the session, whichever is less..."Ever since the Winter Session began on December 11, the Lok Sabha has been witnessing repeated disruptions, because of which it has not been able to transact much business.&nbsp;

The Speaker invoked Rule 374(A) against the erring members after they did not heed to her repeated pleas for maintaining order in the House, Parliament sources said.

Cracking the whip, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Wednesday suspended 24 members of AIADMK for five sitting days for continuously disrupting the House. The Speaker invoked Rule 374(A) against the erring members after they did not heed to her repeated pleas for maintaining order in the House, Parliament sources said. On Wednesday, some members even threw papers toward the Speaker's Chair. The AIADMK members have been continuously creating uproar in the House and even displaying placards to protest against the proposed Mekedatu dam in Karnataka on Cauvery river. The AIADMK claims that the dam will affect farmers in Tamil Nadu. Commenting on the Mahajan's action, AIADMK leader M Thambidurai, who is also Deputy Speaker, said the protest is their democratic right. "We are not questioning the Speaker's decision" but the government is not responding to the concerns raised "democratically by us," he said. He alleged that the Central BJP-led government had given approval to Karnataka to build Mekedatu dam as it wants to get some seats in that state. The Rule 374(A) reads: "... in the event of grave disorder occasioned by a member coming into the well of the House or abusing the Rules of the House persistently and willfully obstructing its business by shouting slogans or otherwise, such member shall, on being named by the Speaker, stand automatically suspended from the service of the House for five consecutive sittings or the remainder of the session, whichever is less..."Ever since the Winter Session began on December 11, the Lok Sabha has been witnessing repeated disruptions, because of which it has not been able to transact much business.

Lok Sabha Speaker suspends 24 AIADMK members for five sittings for disrupting House

The US government will begin a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/standoff-over-trump-wall-leaves-us-govt-5-days-away-from-shutdown-184833">Christmastime shutdown </a>at midnight, as Congress adjourned Friday without passing a federal spending bill or addressing President Donald Trump's demand for money to build a border wall.

Operations for several key agencies will cease at 12:01 am Saturday, despite last-ditch talks that continued on Capitol Hill between White House officials and congressional leaders in both parties.

Trump has dug in on his demand for $5 billion for construction of a wall on the US border with Mexico. Democrats are staunchly opposed, and the absence of an elusive deal means federal funds for dozens of agencies will lapse when the clock strikes twelve.

It remained unclear how long the shutdown will last, but Trump expressed hope late Friday night that it "will not last long," after earlier saying he was ready for just that.

The optics are bad, as 800,000 federal employees will be either furloughed or forced to work without pay in the run-up to the Christmas holiday.

But the prospect of a large portion of government workers going without paychecks was not enough to spur lawmakers or the president to action.

The House of Representatives adjourned just before 7:00 pm (2300 GMT) Friday, with no moves taken to avert a shutdown, and the Senate closed up shop an hour later.&nbsp;

Both are due back in session at noon Saturday.

About three-quarters of the government, including the military and the Department of Health and Human Services, is fully funded until the end of September 2019, leaving 25 per cent unfunded as of Saturday.&nbsp;

Most NASA employees will be sent home, as will Commerce Department workers and many at the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, Agriculture and State.

National parks will remain open, but most park staff will stay at home.&nbsp;

While most critical security functions will be operational, the effects of the budget wrangling and uncertainty have cast an air of chaos over the capital, which is also reeling from the resignation announcement Thursday by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.

Wall Street ended its worst week in a decade with more bruising losses Friday.

And the inability of Washington to accomplish one of its most basic tasks -- keeping the government up and running -- has caused deep embarrassment and anxiety.

'Prepared' for shutdown

"It's up to the Democrats whether or not we have a shutdown tonight," Trump said earlier Friday, blaming political opponents for the crisis.

"I hope we don't," the president added, but "we're totally prepared for a very long shutdown."

Senators told reporters that congressional leaders from both parties were negotiating behind the scenes with White House officials including Vice President Mike Pence, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, and incoming chief of staff Mick Mulvaney.

The power trio shuttled from one side of the Capitol to the other, seeking a breakthrough with Republicans and Democrats.&nbsp;

It did not come on Friday.

Should they eventually strike a deal, it could swiftly clear Congress and reach the president's desk, said Senate Republican Bob Corker.&nbsp;

"Now Republicans and Democrats both own the success or failure to fund government."

One focus of discussion was the $1.6 billion in border security funding that was a part of pending Senate legislation, number two Senate Republican John Cornyn told AFP.

But conservatives in the House would likely baulk at that figure.

"There's no agreement," Congressman Mark Meadows, chairman of the House Freedom Caucus of ultra-conservatives, told reporters as he left a closed-door meeting on the Capitol's Senate side.

"There's a whole lot of numbers being thrown around," but a maximum $1.6 billion for border security "is not acceptable."

Cornyn suggested the art of the deal was less about grandstanding and more about a logical compromise to break the impasse.

"The House is at five (billion dollars for border security), the Democrats are at zero," he said. "It doesn't sound like that's rocket science to come up with a figure."

'Hostage'&nbsp;

Trump reversed course Thursday and rejected a measure that had unanimously passed the Senate and was under House consideration.

It would have extended government funding until February 8, but contained no money for a border wall, a pet project Trump has fought for since his presidential campaign.

Democrats painted Trump as the Grinch who stole the year-end deal.

"This #shutdown is brought to you by @POTUS &amp; @HouseGOP," Congresswoman Kathleen Rice tweeted. "Instead of passing the Senate's funding bill, they decided to hold this country hostage."

With lawmakers like Meadows and prominent conservative commentators demanding that the president sticks to his campaign promises, Trump doubled down on his wall.

The House swiftly passed a bill that fulfilled the president's demands. It included $5.7 billion in wall funding and $7.8 billion in disaster relief.

But it stalled at the first hurdle in the Senate.

Trump was scheduled to fly to Florida Friday for his Christmas break, but he postponed the trip to help salvage a deal.

The US government will begin a Christmastime shutdown at midnight, as Congress adjourned Friday without passing a federal spending bill or addressing President Donald Trump's demand for money to build a border wall.

The US government will begin a Christmastime shutdown at midnight, as Congress adjourned Friday without passing a federal spending bill or addressing President Donald Trump's demand for money to build a border wall. Operations for several key agencies will cease at 12:01 am Saturday, despite last-ditch talks that continued on Capitol Hill between White House officials and congressional leaders in both parties. Trump has dug in on his demand for $5 billion for construction of a wall on the US border with Mexico. Democrats are staunchly opposed, and the absence of an elusive deal means federal funds for dozens of agencies will lapse when the clock strikes twelve. It remained unclear how long the shutdown will last, but Trump expressed hope late Friday night that it "will not last long," after earlier saying he was ready for just that. The optics are bad, as 800,000 federal employees will be either furloughed or forced to work without pay in the run-up to the Christmas holiday. But the prospect of a large portion of government workers going without paychecks was not enough to spur lawmakers or the president to action. The House of Representatives adjourned just before 7:00 pm (2300 GMT) Friday, with no moves taken to avert a shutdown, and the Senate closed up shop an hour later. Both are due back in session at noon Saturday. About three-quarters of the government, including the military and the Department of Health and Human Services, is fully funded until the end of September 2019, leaving 25 per cent unfunded as of Saturday. Most NASA employees will be sent home, as will Commerce Department workers and many at the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, Agriculture and State. National parks will remain open, but most park staff will stay at home. While most critical security functions will be operational, the effects of the budget wrangling and uncertainty have cast an air of chaos over the capital, which is also reeling from the resignation announcement Thursday by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. Wall Street ended its worst week in a decade with more bruising losses Friday. And the inability of Washington to accomplish one of its most basic tasks -- keeping the government up and running -- has caused deep embarrassment and anxiety. 'Prepared' for shutdown "It's up to the Democrats whether or not we have a shutdown tonight," Trump said earlier Friday, blaming political opponents for the crisis. "I hope we don't," the president added, but "we're totally prepared for a very long shutdown." Senators told reporters that congressional leaders from both parties were negotiating behind the scenes with White House officials including Vice President Mike Pence, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, and incoming chief of staff Mick Mulvaney. The power trio shuttled from one side of the Capitol to the other, seeking a breakthrough with Republicans and Democrats. It did not come on Friday. Should they eventually strike a deal, it could swiftly clear Congress and reach the president's desk, said Senate Republican Bob Corker. "Now Republicans and Democrats both own the success or failure to fund government." One focus of discussion was the $1.6 billion in border security funding that was a part of pending Senate legislation, number two Senate Republican John Cornyn told AFP. But conservatives in the House would likely baulk at that figure. "There's no agreement," Congressman Mark Meadows, chairman of the House Freedom Caucus of ultra-conservatives, told reporters as he left a closed-door meeting on the Capitol's Senate side. "There's a whole lot of numbers being thrown around," but a maximum $1.6 billion for border security "is not acceptable." Cornyn suggested the art of the deal was less about grandstanding and more about a logical compromise to break the impasse. "The House is at five (billion dollars for border security), the Democrats are at zero," he said. "It doesn't sound like that's rocket science to come up with a figure." 'Hostage' Trump reversed course Thursday and rejected a measure that had unanimously passed the Senate and was under House consideration. It would have extended government funding until February 8, but contained no money for a border wall, a pet project Trump has fought for since his presidential campaign. Democrats painted Trump as the Grinch who stole the year-end deal. "This #shutdown is brought to you by @POTUS & @HouseGOP," Congresswoman Kathleen Rice tweeted. "Instead of passing the Senate's funding bill, they decided to hold this country hostage." With lawmakers like Meadows and prominent conservative commentators demanding that the president sticks to his campaign promises, Trump doubled down on his wall. The House swiftly passed a bill that fulfilled the president's demands. It included $5.7 billion in wall funding and $7.8 billion in disaster relief. But it stalled at the first hurdle in the Senate. Trump was scheduled to fly to Florida Friday for his Christmas break, but he postponed the trip to help salvage a deal.

US government shuts down at midnight as House adjourns with no deal

The Rajya Sabha was today adjourned till 2 pm without transacting any legislative business after the Congress-led opposition created an uproar over various issues including softening of provisions of the SC/ST Atrocities Act.

Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu called the protests, which have not allowed any business to be transacted since the House met on March 5, as a "murder of democracy".

No sooner had 12 new members taken an oath of office that opposition members trooped into the well of the House displaying placards in support of their demand and shouting slogans.

While MPs belonging to the Congress and the BSP were protesting against softening of certain provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Tamil parties - DMK and AIADMK demanded immediate constitution of the Cauvery Water Management Board for the division of river water between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Members of the TDP and KVP Ramachandra Rao of the Congress held placards demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh.

"Narendra Modi - Dalit Virodhi" (Narendra Modi is anti- Dalit), shouted Congress and BSP members. They also shouted, "Dalit virodhi yeh sarkar, nahi chalegi, nahi chalegi" (This anti-Dalit government will not be tolerated).

TDP MPs raised 'Save Andhra" slogans.

Naidu expressed displeasure over repeated disruptions since Parliament met early last month for the second half of the Budget session.

He requested members to return to their seats and at least pass the anti-corruption bill.

"You want these kinds of ugly scenes to be seen every day by people," he said referring to slogan shouting and placards trying to block his view.

"What is the difference between people shouting slogans outside and here," he asked. "You have not transacted any business including important legislations. People want legislations."

He said a handful of people were obstructing proceedings over their agenda. 
Naidu said any issue be it banking scam, Cauvery waters, Andhra special package, Dalit act or Kashmir issue can be discussed.

Its unfortunate that debate on these issues is not happening despite the Chair permitting it and the government willing to discuss it, he said.

"You are testing the patience of the people. This is not good for democracy. This is murdering democracy," he said. "Entire country is agitated, depressed."

"Have some discussion and allow some bills to be passed," he requested an unrelenting opposition.

He noted that just two days were left before the session ends on Friday and it was imperative that some legislative business was transacted today and tomorrow.

With the slogan-shouting continuing, he adjourned proceedings till 2 pm.

Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu called the protests, which have not allowed any business to be transacted since the House met on March 5, as a "murder of democracy"

The Rajya Sabha was today adjourned till 2 pm without transacting any legislative business after the Congress-led opposition created an uproar over various issues including softening of provisions of the SC/ST Atrocities Act. Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu called the protests, which have not allowed any business to be transacted since the House met on March 5, as a "murder of democracy". No sooner had 12 new members taken an oath of office that opposition members trooped into the well of the House displaying placards in support of their demand and shouting slogans. While MPs belonging to the Congress and the BSP were protesting against softening of certain provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Tamil parties - DMK and AIADMK demanded immediate constitution of the Cauvery Water Management Board for the division of river water between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Members of the TDP and KVP Ramachandra Rao of the Congress held placards demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh. "Narendra Modi - Dalit Virodhi" (Narendra Modi is anti- Dalit), shouted Congress and BSP members. They also shouted, "Dalit virodhi yeh sarkar, nahi chalegi, nahi chalegi" (This anti-Dalit government will not be tolerated). TDP MPs raised 'Save Andhra" slogans. Naidu expressed displeasure over repeated disruptions since Parliament met early last month for the second half of the Budget session. He requested members to return to their seats and at least pass the anti-corruption bill. "You want these kinds of ugly scenes to be seen every day by people," he said referring to slogan shouting and placards trying to block his view. "What is the difference between people shouting slogans outside and here," he asked. "You have not transacted any business including important legislations. People want legislations." He said a handful of people were obstructing proceedings over their agenda. Naidu said any issue be it banking scam, Cauvery waters, Andhra special package, Dalit act or Kashmir issue can be discussed. Its unfortunate that debate on these issues is not happening despite the Chair permitting it and the government willing to discuss it, he said. "You are testing the patience of the people. This is not good for democracy. This is murdering democracy," he said. "Entire country is agitated, depressed." "Have some discussion and allow some bills to be passed," he requested an unrelenting opposition. He noted that just two days were left before the session ends on Friday and it was imperative that some legislative business was transacted today and tomorrow. With the slogan-shouting continuing, he adjourned proceedings till 2 pm.

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm following uproar

house-adjourned

House Adjourned, News on House Adjourned, stories on House Adjourned, articles on House Adjourned, House Adjourned stories at Wion, House Adjourned news, House Adjourned latest news

house adjourned

Rahul Gandhi meets Lok Sabha Speaker, urges him to expunge ‘derogatory’ comments against him

Lok Sabha Speaker suspends 24 AIADMK members for five sittings for disrupting House

US government shuts down at midnight as House adjourns with no deal

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm following uproar