This is the second time the Bill has failed to be introduced. During the Winter Session, Panda was also unable to move the Bill because the day earmarked for Private Members' Bills was adjourned due to repeated disruptions in the House.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Narendra Modi government of committing "dark deeds," including an agreement with the United States while sacrificing farmers' interests. He said the House would have functioned properly if the LoP had been allowed to speak.
Congress MP Ujjwal Raman Singh on Thursday criticised the NDA government after Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi was allegedly not allowed to speak in the House. Reacting to a letter written by Rahul Gandhi on the issue, Singh termed the situation "shameful for democracy".
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Thursday warned that there's "very little opportunity" for the house to run if Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi is not allowed to make his point in Parliament about the 2020 standoff with China.
Amid continuous ruckus in the Parliament, Congress suspended MP Manickam Tagore on Thursday asserted that till the time the Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi is not allowed to present his views, the Opposition will not allow Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak in the House.
The lower House of the Parliament on Thursday passed the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address, even as proceedings were repeatedly disrupted by sloganeering from Opposition members, following which the House was adjourned till 2 pm.
The Upper House of Parliament witnessed a heated exchange between Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and BJP leaders after the Congress MP alleged that Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi was not allowed to speak in the House.
Congress MP Manish Tewari on Thursday moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha, urging the House to debate on a matter of "grave public importance" related to the India-US trade deal and energy understanding.
BJP leaders maintained that PM Modi wanted to address the House but was denied the opportunity due to disruptions by Congress leaders. The Congress alleged PM Modi stayed away because he did not want scrutiny on national security.
Speaking to the reporters, Venugopal said, "We are ready to function, but it is up to them. They don't want the House to function. They can suspend each and every member of the House."
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday said Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi must follow parliamentary rules while speaking in the House.
Eight opposition members were suspended from the Lok Sabha for the remainder of the budget session for violating rules and "throwing papers on the chair" following uproar in the House.