The functioning of both the Houses of Parliament was hit for the second day today due to the Congress' protest on National Herald issue. Congress Members in the Lok Sabha as well as Rajya Sabha continued their non-stop slogan shouting to protest. They said they were protesting against the government's discriminatory attitude against their party.<br/> <br/>The Rajya Sabha remained paralyzed and no legislative business was conducted. The opposition Congress forced 6 adjournments of the House before adjourning finally for the day. When the House re-assembled at 3 PM, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad accused the government of reopening the National Herald case by Enforcement Directorate. He said the case was closed in August this year but the government brought a new Director and at its behest the case was reopened. He made it clear that his party has nothing against the judiciary in the case. <br/><br/>Dismissing the allegations levelled by treasury benches, Mr Azad also made it clear that the Congress, like other opposition parties, is in favour of discussing the important pending legislative proposals. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that the Congress is obstructing the developmental agenda of the country by stalling proceedings. Deputy Chairman Prof. P J Kurien adjourned the House for the day as the agitating Congress members continued to raise slogans against the government. The members remained in the well whenever the House is re-assembling after adjournments. <br/><br/>The Lok Sabha also witnessed unruly scenes due to the continued sloganeering by Congress members over National Herald issue. However, the Lok Sabha went ahead with its listed business, virtually ignoring the slogan shouting from the Congress benches. <br/><br/>During zero hour, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that they are protesting against the perceived political vendetta being adopted by the ruling party. He said, no action has so far been taken against some of the BJP ruled States Chief Ministers in connection with the alleged corruption cases. Mr Kharge charged the Government with trying to suppress the voice of opposition but Congress will not be cowed down with such tactics. <br/><br/>On the other hand, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venakiah Naidu rejected the allegation of Congress saying that the government has nothing to do with National Herald case and the matter is before the Court. He said, the case against the Congress leaders in this regard was filed during the UPA regime. Mr Naidu appealed to the Congress members not to disrupt the House proceedings and discharge their duties as a responsible opposition.<br/><br/>In the post lunch session, the House resumed discussion on the prevailing drought situation in several parts of the country. The members pointed out that drought has hit half of the country and millions of farmers. They were apprehensive that the severity of the drought would worsen the problem of farmers' indebtedness. Members urged the government to announce immediate relief measures to mitigate the sufferings of the farming community. The discussion remained inconclusive.

The Rajya Sabha remained paralyzed for the second day today on the National Herald issue.<br/><br/>The opposition Congress forced six adjournments of the House before adjourning finally for the day.<br/><br/>No legislative business could be transacted as Congress members rushed to the well to protest against the government.<br/><br/>When the House re-assembled at 3 PM, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad accused the government of reopening the National Herald case by Enforcement Directorate. He said the case was closed in August this year but the government brought a new Director and at its behest the case was reopened.<br/><br/>He made it clear that his party has nothing against the judiciary in the case.<br/>Dismissing the allegations levelled by treasury benches, Mr Azad also made it clear that the Congress, like other opposition parties, is in favour of discussing the important pending legislative proposals.<br/><br/>Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that the Congress is obstructing the developmental agenda of the country by stalling proceedings.<br/><br/>Deputy Chairman Prof. P J Kurien adjourned the House for the day as the agitating Congress members continued to raise slogans against the government.<br/><br/>The members remained in the well whenever the House is re-assembling after adjournments. <br/><br/>The Lok Sabha has resumed discussion on the drought situation in the country. The House was adjourned for 10 minutes earlier as the Congress members continued their agitation.

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2 PM today on the National Herald issue as the Congress members continued to protest against the government. The House was adjourned four times in the pre-lunch session as Congress members trooped into the well shouting slogans. As soon as the House met for the day, Congress members rushed to the well.<br/><br/>BJD members from Odisha also trooped into the well of the House holding placards. They have been demanding that the Polavaram Dam project be stopped as some areas in Odisha will be affected.<br/><br/>Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi alleged that the Congress members are obstructing the country's developmental agenda by disrupting the proceedings. He said the House is unable to take up important bills including the Whistle Blowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015, because of the obstructions by Congress. He said the Government is ready for discussion on any issue on the floor of the House. <br/><br/>When the House met at Noon, Chairman Mohammed Hamid Ansari tried to take up question hour but in vain. He asked the agitating BJD members not to display placards. Congress members continued to raise slogans forcing him to adjourn the House for the third time till 1215 hours. The situation was the same when the House re-assembled at 1215 hours. As noisy scenes continued, he adjourned the House till 2 PM.