Rajya Sabha proceedings repeatedly disrupted

New Delhi: Proceedings in the Rajya Sabha were repeatedly disrupted on Friday by opposition members, who demanded the resignations of a union minister and two BJP chief ministers over controversies surrounding former IPL chief Lalit Modi and the Vyapam scam.

Amid the ruckus, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2.30 p.m. Earlier, it witnessed two adjournments in the pre-lunch session.

The Congress, supported by some other opposition parties, has been demanding the resignations of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje over their association with the former Indian premier League chairman, while Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is embroiled in the Vyapam scam controversy.

"We are well within our rights to bring motions and demand action," Congress leader Anand Sharma said, adding that the Narendra Modi government had not been responding to the opposition demands.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, however said no notice (for any motion) had been given (by the opposition).

Union minister Ravishankar Prasad said the government was always ready for a discussion in parliament, but only the opposition was shying away.

The house then witnessed a din, with the ruling and the opposition benches trading charges.

Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien then adjourned the house till noon.

Soon after the upper house assembled at noon, Congress members began demanding a statement from the Prime Minister on what action he had taken against Chouhan in the Vyapam scam.

Members from the treasury bench opposed it and maintained that the NDA government was ready for discussion.

Naqvi reiterated that the government was ready for a discussion on any issue.

Meanwhile, the Congress members trooped into the well, forcing Chairman Hamid Ansari to adjourn the house till 1 p.m.

When the house reassembled at 1 p.m., unruly scenes were repeated, forcing its adjournment till 2.30 p.m.