Added to the Opposition uproar were protests by two key UPA allies - DMK and NCP. While DMK members in the Lower House stormed the Well in protest against a film allegedly showing havoc caused by destruction of a dam in south India, NCP members raised the issue of restrictions on onion exports by displaying placards.
The two Houses were earlier adjourned till noon soon after assembling for the day as several members, including those from the Left, stormed the well. In the Rajya Sabha, BSP members also trooped into the Well in support of the Left members, shouting slogans against price rise. BJP members, however, did not go into the Well and kept pressing for admission of their adjournment motion on black money from their seats.
Only on Tuesday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had urged political parties to work together to push forward the development agenda for the country and government managers were hopeful of smooth proceedings in Parliament today. The last session of Parliament could not transact much business despite heavy government agenda. The Winter session last year was a washout over opposition demand for a JPC probe into the 2G scam.
In the Rajya Sabha, almost the entire Opposition stood as one demanding discussion on issues like price rise, black money and plight of contract labourers. BJP members Rudra Narayan Pany and Prakash Javadekar demanded discussion on government`s labour policies during the Zero Hour saying lakhs of workers are being deprived of social security schemes like provident fund, ESI health benefit and insurance.
Later, Left, BSP and SP members trooped into the Well in support of their demands. Amidst the din, the Chair asked the minister to lay papers listed against their name. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee laid a paper on price rise, while Law Minister Salman Khurshid moved a motion for election to select committee on the Wakf (Amendment) Bill, 2010.