UPA disrupting Rajya Sabha to avoid vote on FDI, PM must explain: BJP

New Delhi: Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley on Wednesday claimed that the disruption in the House is a tactic adopted by the UPA government and its allies in order to stay way from the FDI debate. Jaitley accused the government of diversionary tactics in the Rajya Sabha and said that the UPA constituents have been deliberately disrupting proceedings to avoid the vote.

"The government is not serious about the conduct of the Rajya Sabha. UPA members and its allies are disturbing the Rajya Sabha from past few days," said Jailtey. The senior BJP leader demanded that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh be called in the house and clarify whether the government wants the house to run as its allies were repeatedly disturbing the house. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day after disruptions over quota in promotion for SC/ST in government jobs.

Earlier, there was high drama in the Upper House on Wednesday following BSP supremo Mayawati's demand for a BR Ambedkar memorial in Mumbai on the occasion of his 56th death anniversary. As soon as the House met for the day, Mayawati rose from her seat and stormed into the well of the Rajya Sabha saying people have been waiting for years for a memorial at a land owned by the Textile Ministry in Mumbai. "We want government to give an assurance," she said.

Parliament was later informed that land has been allotted for an Ambedkar memorial in Mumbai. "The government has initiated the process to give effect to this decision and I will be shortly be moving the necessary legislative proposal for Parliamentary approval. I seek the support and endorsement of the House," Union Minister Anand Sharma said.

The ashes of Babasaheb Ambedkar are interred at Chaitya Bhoomi, situated in the vicinity of the 12.5 acre land of India United Mill, popularly known as Indu Mill, under the National Textile Corporation at Prabhadevi in central Mumbai. Dalit outfits had set December 6, Ambedkar's death anniversary, as the deadline for the state to decide on the issue, failing which they threatened to forcibly occupy the mill premises.

Sharma said the decision was taken respecting public sentiments and in response to the request of the Maharashtra government and taking note of the unanimous resolution passed by both Houses of Maharashtra Legislature. Sharma hailed Ambedkar as one of India's "tallest" leaders and acknowledged his contribution in guiding the process of framing the Constitution.

With Additional Inputs from PTI

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