RS adjourned twice over Natwar

The House didn't allow him to make statement on a probe in Volcker case.

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned twice on Friday after protests by opposition members when suspended Congress member Natwar Singh was not allowed to make his personal explanation over the Pathak report leak.

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Midway into the Zero Hour, the former External Affairs Minister stood up to seek permission of the Chair to make his submission, but was disallowed by Deputy Chairman K Rehman Khan saying that his notice for making a personal explanation was under examination by the Chairman.

This sparked turmoil in the House with agitated opposition members from BJP, SP, TDP and AIADMK saying that Natwar as a member of the House had a right to make a personal explanation and the Chair should permit him to do so.

Singh had given a written copy of his submission to the Chairman, which as per rules has to be vetted by Bhairon Singh Shekhawat to ensure that the contents did not have debatable points.

Slogan-shouting opposition members trooped into the Well following which the House was adjourned till 2 pm.

The issue did not die down when the House re-assembled with the Deputy Chairman repeating his earlier ruling.

This led Natwar Singh, who was present in the House, to make his exit. The opposition members, however, raised a din.

"Opportunity will be given to him to make his submission," the Deputy Chairman said.

As uproar continued, the House was adjourned till 1430 hrs.

The matter ended when the House re-assembled at 1430 hrs and the listed business was taken up.