Uproar in Rajya Sabha over anti-communal violence Bill

2.12 pm: Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien: “I can detail how the UPA-II has butchered the federal structure of the country.”

2.09 pm: AIADMK leader V Maitreyan: “The Prevention of Communal Violence Bill tramples upon the authority of the state.”

2.01 pm: Rajya Sabha resumes session. Arun Jaitley attacks the government on the Prevention of Communal Violence Bill, says it infringes on the states’ rights.

1.21 pm: Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde: “Telangana Bill will come after clearance from Cabinet.”

1.10 pm: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy begins silent protest against Telangana at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.

12.51 pm: Left leaders hold meet with regional parties inside Parliament amidst rumours of a Third Front.

12.48 pm: Defence Minister AK Antony to make a statement on AgustaWestland chopper deal at 2 pm.

12.32 pm: Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm after uproar over Telangana Bill and AgustaWestland chopper deal.

12.25 pm: Lok Sabha adjourned for the day after uproar over Nido Taniam death case and Telangana Bill.

12.22 pm: BJP raises AgustaWestland case in Rajya Sabha. “The government must make a statement today itself on AgustaWestland case.”

12.18 pm: JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav on Taniam death case: “The House must condemn the incident.”

12.17 pm: Minister of State for Minority Affairs Ninong Ering on Taniam death case: “Must ensure such attacks do not recur. This is not an isolated incident.”

12.12 pm: Sushma Swaraj: “It’s our responsibility that we should protect each and every children in India. I am amazed that both Delhi and the Central governments are sitting on protest at Jantar Mantar.”

12.09 pm: Rajya Sabha adjourned for 20 minutes following uproar over Telangana Bill. BJP raises Nido Taniam death case in Lok Sabha.

12:01 pm: Parliament resumes session, uproar continues over Telangana Bill.

11.20 am: BJP’s Ravi Shankar Prasad gives notice for suspension of Question Hour to discuss AugustaWestland VVIP chopper deal.

11.18 am: TDP workers protest outside Andhra Bhawan over Telangana Bill. Clashes erupt between pro- and anti-Telangana outfits.

11.15 am: Rajya Sabha adjourned after uproar over Telangana. Parliament adjourned till 12 noon.

11.09 am: Lok Sabha adjourned till 12 noon after uproar over Telangana.

11.00 am: Parliament begins, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha pay homage to the departed members.

10.55 am: Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar: “Hope the last session of Parliament goes well. The members have promised me of a smooth session.”

10.47 am: Finance Minister P Chidambaram: “The Finance Bill and the vote on account will be passed. I want it to be passed with discussion.”

10.35 am: Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agarwal: “People have lost belief in the Congress and the BJP. They are looking for a better alternative.”

10.34 am: BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad: “The government is worried by its own leaders. It is playing vote bank politics. It’s the government’s responsibility to let the House function smoothly.”

10.19 am: Finance Minister P Chidambaram: “I doubt if any key bills will be passed in this session. We have to attend the ritual of attending Parliament every day and coming back empty hand.”

Parliament reconvenes on Wednesday for its last session ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Pending before the House are several key bills which will not see the light of day if MPs from Andhra Pradesh carry out their threat of disrupting the proceedings over the Telangana Bill.

A Congress MP from Rajhamundry, V Arun Kumar, has already moved a no-confidence motion against the government.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tweeted early on Wednesday to appeal to the parties to let the House function. “I sincerely hope that Parliament, in its wisdom, will transact the essential business which is its primary concern. There is important legislation which is pending for approval by Parliament.”

Several key bills relating to finance and budgets are waiting to be introduced in the session.

There are other bills, such as the Women’s Reservation Bill and Street Vendors’ Regulation Bill, which are pending approval.

The Congress does not hope for much support in the House amidst stiff opposition from the BJP.

“We have to attend the ritual of attending Parliament everyday and coming back empty hand,” Finance Minister P Chidambaram said.

The BJP has asked the Congress to first rein in its protesting MPs before “sermonising others” on how to behave in Parliament. “Congress should not give sermons to opposition on disruptions in Parliament when their party leaders are supporting as well as opposing Telangana,” Opposition leader Sushma Swaraj said.

The cost of running Parliament for one minute is Rs 2.5 lakh; for one hour, it is Rs 1.5 crore. And if Parliament does not function for a day, the money lost is a