NEW DELHI: The demolition drive here held up Parliamentary business on Thursday as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) refused to allow both Houses to function till `The Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Bill, 2006,' which seeks to put a year-long moratorium on demolitions, was introduced.

As a result, both Houses adjourned without transacting any business on the understanding that the Government would introduce the Bill on Friday, and the Opposition would allow Parliament to function.

The Lok Sabha saw two quick adjournments within minutes of zero hour before Speaker Somnath Chatterjee called it a day. The Rajya Sabha, too, met with a similar fate as the Opposition trained its guns on the Government for failing to introduce the Bill despite Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy making a commitment on Wednesday.

Chorus of protests

As Mr. Reddy rose to explain in the Lok Sabha why the Bill was not being introduced, the Opposition drowned his voice in a chorus of protests, forcing the first adjournment.

When the House met again, the Minister said the Bill could not be introduced because its Hindi version was not ready.

Mr. Reddy also sought the Opposition's cooperation in getting the Bill passed without discussion.

The Opposition remained non-committal, insisting that it be introduced first. Mr. Chatterjee adjourned the House again till noon and thereafter for the day.

BJP strategy

On Wednesday itself, the BJP had decided to disrupt Parliament on the demolition issue.

At the parliamentary party meeting on Thursday before the House assembled, the decision was endorsed. Deputy Leader of the BJP in the Lok Sabha V.K. Malhotra, the lone non-Congress MP from Delhi, made it clear that till the Government brought in legislation to stop the demolitions, the BJP would not allow Parliament to function.

Later, BJP leaders said the proposed Bill would not work as the courts would strike it down. What was needed was an amnesty scheme to regularise unauthorised extensions of homes. The party clarified that it was not opposing the demolition of structures built on public land.

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