Budget session highlights: Both houses adjourned till 11am tomorrow

The BJP on Thursday slammed Rahul Gandhi for claiming that whether he is permitted to speak in Parliament or not is a test of democracy, saying his comments cannot become the "barometer" of success or failure of democracy.

Former Union minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad accused Gandhi of making it a habit of seeking to derail and demean Indian democracy from foreign soils, reported PTI. 

"How long will Rahul Gandhi mislead the country? BJP again reiterates that he said that 'America & Europe should take note of India's democratic backsliding'. It's his habit to insult the feelings of Indians by criticising Indian democracy abroad," said BJP MP RS Prasad

We will campaign across the country for an apology from Rahul Gandhi. It's his habit to speak baseless things. Neither for once did he say today that he's denying his remarks of 'America & Europe's interference', he added. 

Rahul Gandhi should brush up his information on the foreign policy of India. He's a novice in that field, said Prasad as reported by ANI. 

Parliament will continue to witness logjams and the opposition will carry on its protest until a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) is set up to probe alleged irregularities by the Adani Group, the Aam Aadmi Party said on Thursday.

At a press conference at the party headquarters, AAP Rajya Sabha MP and spokesperson Sanjay Singh alleged a nexus between Gautam Adani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asserted that the Opposition will not spare those "who looted the country's assets worth lakhs and crores of rupees", reported PTI. 

Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said Parliament was adjourned within one minute of his arrival while he came to Parliament with the hope of speaking -- replying to the allegations raised against him by four Union ministers. "Unfortunately for you, I am a member of Parliament. And as the allegation has been made in Parliament by four ministers, it is my democratic right to have the opportunity. Read full story

Rahul Gandhi should apologise. The country is demanding his apology, and so are the MPs. He has defamed the country abroad: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, reported ANI. 

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi today met with the Speaker of Lok Sabha Om Birla in the Parliament and requested him to allow him time to speak about the allegations made by BJP against him: Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, reported news agency ANI. 

Rajya Sabha adjourned till 11am tomorrow. 

Lok Sabha adjourned till 11am tomorrow. 

There was a JPC in 2G matter, Harshad Mehta affair, then Parliament constituted a JPC in Ketan Parekh case. While SC is within it rights to enquire, but so far as policy & regulatory issues are concerned that falls under remit of Parliament and that's why we have called for JPC. Deadlock isn't because of Opposition, it's because of Treasury benches disrupting the house: Congress MP Manish Tewari

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday arrived in Parliament amid the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanding his apology over remarks made in the United Kingdom.

“I didn’t speak anything anti-India (in London seminar). If they will allow I will speak inside the parliament”, the Wayanad MP said. Read full story

Whenever Congress raises the demand for JPC probe in Adani issue, to divert attention, they (BJP) won’t let the session continue. BJP is scared that somebody will raise Gautam Adani’s name in the Parliament, said Congress leader Pawan Khera, reported ANI. 

Both houses of Parliament, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, adjourned till 2pm. 

PM Narendra Modi holds a meeting with his top ministers including Rajnath Singh, Piyush Goyal, Anurag Thakur, Kiren Rijiu and Pralhad Joshi, in Parliament, reported ANI. 

Amid the continuing deadlock in Parliament, leaders of like-minded Opposition parties will hold a meeting on Thursday at the office of the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, to draw up a floor strategy for the ongoing second part of the Budget session, reports ANI.