New Delhi : A united Opposition today sought an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for calling them "supporters of blackmoney, as they forced two adjournments of proceedings in Rajya Sabha till afternoon. Congress, BSP and TMC members rushed into the Well of the House shouting slogans demanding an apology from the Prime Minister for his remarks, while the ruling benches matched them with slogans praising of Modi, creating a pandemonium forcing Deputy Chairman P J Kurien to adjourn the proceedings till noon. When the House met again, similar scenes continued forcing another adjournment till 1430 hours.
Immediately after the House mourned the death of its former member Dipen Ghosh, Mayawati (BSP) was up on her feet saying the Prime Minister had this morning "wrongly accused opposition of holding blackmoney" and demanded that he should apologise for his remarks. Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said when it was made very clear by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and others during debate on demonetisation yesterday that the opposition is against blackmoney, how can Modi make such allegations.
Amid the din, Kurien got the listed papers laid. He said a notice under rule 267 seeking suspension of business to take up discussion on ban on 500 and 1000 rupee notes has been received from Azad. "I am ready to admit that motion provided you are ready for discussion," he said. Azad said his notice was conditional upon the Prime Minister coming to the House and listening to the entire debate and replying to it. PTI
