Triple Talaq Bill in Rajya Sabha LIVE Updates: While the government is keen to get the Triple Talaq Bill passed through Rajya Sabha on the last day of Monsoon Session, the Congress is demanding answers over Rafale jet deal.
As the Modi government prepares to table the much debated Triple Talaq Bill in Rajya Sabha on the last day of Monsoon Session on Friday, the Congress launched a protest against the Modi government demanding answers from it over the alleged scam in Rafale fighter jet deal with France. Opposition leaders including UPA chairperson and former Congress president Sonia Gandhi raised slogans against the government outside Parliament. Sonia Gandhi said that her party’s stand over Triple Talaq Bill is “absolutely clear” and that she won’t add anything to it.
Earlier in the morning, Congress sought advise from its legal experts to chart out its strategy on the floor of the Upper House. Sources said the Congress leadership discussed the Triple Talaq issue with in-house senior lawyers – Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Singhvi. The party is also in touch with other Opposition parties to gauge their mood.
Singhvi has described the government’s move to push the bill for clearance on the last day of Monsoon Session as just political posturing and gave ample hints that it won’t be easy for the government to get the bill pass the Rajya Sabha test. The Congress is likely to demand the bill to be presented in the next session or it be sent to a select committee of Parliament.
“We welcome the amendments made in the bill, but more changes are needed. Why the government is in so much hurry to get the Rajya Sabha’s approval on the last day of this session. How can we make our decision without the reading the bill,” Singhvi told IndiaTV.
Meanwhile, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has urged the Congress to support the amended Triple Talaq Bill. Prasad said the bill seeks justice for crores of women.
LIVE UPDATES:
12:31 pm: Sources say the Government has decided to send a clear message to the Opposition, if they are going to block the Triple Talaq Bill and also not open to extend the Parliament session then it is left with no option but to issue an ordinance prior to Winter Session.
12:03 pm: Rajya Sabha adjourned til 2:30 pm as Opposition continues to raise Rafale deal issue.
11:45 am: Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12:00 pm amid uproar by Opposition over.
11:27 am: Congress demands to constitute a Joint Parliamentary Committee to look into the Rafale deal.
11:25 am: Congress demands discussion on Rafale deal under Rule 267. Deputy Chairman Harivansh turns down the demand saying that only Chairman can permit for discussion under Rule 267.
11:05 am: Our party’s position is absolutely clear on this, I will not say anything on this further, says Sonia Gandhi
