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Anti- Gadkari protests in Parliament as Govt. tries to push through key bills

by IBNS 12 May 2015, 10:48 am

New Delhi, May 12 (IBNS) Sloganeering and protests reverberated parliament on Tuesday as the opposition continued its agitation demanding resignation of union minister Nitin Gadkari while the government kept trying to push key bills through.

The budget session of parliament ends on Wednesday,but passage to bills like Goods and Services Tax (GST) remain in a stalemate.

The Congress has moved adjournment motions in both Houses, seeking to suspend regular business to discuss a report of the national auditor CAG that mentions about  irregularities in a loan given by a government-run company to the Purti Group, in which Mr Gadkari owned stakes. 

On Monday, the minister had denied wrongdoing and alleged a political conspiracy in a statement in Parliament, but a dogged opposition kept shouting in protest leading to multiple disruptions.

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned nine times.

The protests and disruption in proceedings are hindering the government's efforts to get passed  its flagship GST Bill, which has to be discussed in the Upper House. It has been passed by the Lok Sabha.

As a constitutional amendment bill, the GST needs the support of two-thirds of the House and the government needs the opposition support. 

The ruling BJP has been able to  win the support of regional parties like the Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party and the Biju Janata Dal.

 Gadkari said in his statement yesterday, "The loan was returned. There was a one-time settlement. The CAG has nowhere named me as a wrongdoer nor there is any adverse comment against me." He added that he has not been associated with the company since 2011."