This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-33605240
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
India parliament begins on stormy note | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
India's new session of parliament has been disrupted with opposition parties demanding the resignation of three ruling BJP leaders mired in scandals. | |
Members of the main opposition Congress party stormed the chamber and forced the speaker to halt proceedings. | |
They are demanding investigations into a massive college entrance exam fraud and alleged favours given to a business tycoon by the foreign minister. | |
PM Narendra Modi has appealed to the opposition to help push through bills. | |
The BJP is hoping to use this session to push through tax and land reform bills. | |
"We all have to work together to take important decisions for the development of the nation," Mr Modi told reporters outside parliament on Tuesday. | |
"I am hopeful that the parliament will live up to the country's expectations to act as a medium for constructive debate." | |
Opposition leaders have called for the resignations of Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje for helping former IPL cricket chief Lalit Modi, who lives in London and is wanted by Indian authorities. | Opposition leaders have called for the resignations of Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje for helping former IPL cricket chief Lalit Modi, who lives in London and is wanted by Indian authorities. |
The opening of the upper house was disrupted by opposition members protesting at Ms Swaraj's alleged role in helping Lalit Modi to obtain a passport. | |
And the lower house shut down for the day soon after opening to allow MPs to mark the recent death of a member. | |
"This will be a very stormy session since the objective is no more to conduct parliamentary business, but to put the government in the dock," said KG Suresh told the AFP news agency. | |
Correspondents say the session - which is expected to debate key bills like the land acquisition bill and the national Goods and Sales Tax (GST) bill - is expected to be a washout unless the government and the opposition can resolve their differences. | |
The session begins on Tuesday and will conclude on 8 August. | |