Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed for calm and constructive debate in parliament just hours before opposition lawmakers forced an adjournment by demanding a discussion on the business dealings of billionaire Gautam Adani, Bloomberg reports.
The winter session of parliament began on Monday with immediate clashes between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition. Mallikarjun Kharge, president of the Indian National Congress and leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha (upper house), spearheaded the calls for a debate on Adani, citing concerns about the impact of recent allegations on the Indian economy. Similar demands were raised by opposition members in the Lok Sabha (lower house).
These demands resulted in the adjournment of both houses of parliament until Wednesday.
Prior to the session’s commencement, Prime Minister Modi urged the opposition to engage in “healthy debate,” warning against attempts to disrupt parliamentary proceedings for “own political gains.” He stressed the importance of allowing the smooth functioning of parliament.
