Parliament session 'deliberately' derailed by govt:Opposition

The opposition has charged that the Monsoon Session of Parliament was deliberately derailed by the government, The Opposition parties said in a joint statement issued on Thursday. They alleged that the central government had scant respect for the institution of parliamentary democracy. The Opposition listed out matters that they wanted to discuss such as the Pegasus row, farmers’ agitation, inflation and the economic situation in the country. "The government stonewalled the Opposition demand for discussion. It has become abundantly clear that the present government does not believe in Parliamentary accountability and was running away from debate on Pegasus which resulted in a deadlock," they said.

"The government used its brute majority to push through its legislative agenda in violation of established procedures, conventions and spirit of Parliamentary democracy. To divert attention from its own conduct and actions, the government has unleashed a state-sponsored, malicious and misleading campaign by blaming the combined Opposition for the disruption of Parliament," the Opposition parties said.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and nearly a dozen other opposition leaders gathered outside Parliament on Thursday to protest an abrupt end to the monsoon session and the alleged assault on women MPs. They also called on Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu to lodge a complaint, and alleged "outsiders who were not part of Parliament security were brought in to manhandle opposition leaders and members, including women MPs".Apart from Gandhi and his party colleagues, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and the Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut were present. Leaders from the DMK, the Samajwadi Party, the RJD, the CPM and CPI, the Muslim League, the RSP and the Kerala Congress also attended joint protest.

However, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi has called the allegations "totally false", and said that the facts can be checked by viewing CCTV footage.The government is scheduled to hold a press conference at 2 pm - to be addressed by a force of seven Union Ministers - to present its side of the situation.