Parliament adjourned over death of Vilasrao Deshmukh

New Delhi: Both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned midway during discussions today till Thursday to mourn the death of Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh who passed away in Chennai after a brief illness.
While the Rajya Sabha was debating the Whistle Blowers Bill, the Lok Sabha was discussing the Naxalism issue when the tragic news was announced.
In the Rajya Sabha, the announcement was made by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal. The entire House was stunned when Mr Bansal, in a choked voice, made the announcement.
“I have a very sad news…Vilasrao Deshmukh is no more. He just passed away,” Mr Bansal said. Vice-Chairman Tariq Anwar, who was in the Chair, repeated the announcement and said, “the House stands adjourned till August 16.” When the announcement was made, Tapan Kumar Sen (CPI-M) was speaking on the Bill.
However, Mr Bansal came in and gestured to the Vice-Chairman and Mr Sen to allow him to make a very sad announcement.
He then made the announcement. The House was stunned for a brief while after which it was adjourned.
In the Lok Sabha, Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde made the announcement.
P C Chacko, who was in the chair when a discussion on Naxalism and Maoism was on in the House, adjourned the proceedings till Thursday after Mr Shinde informed about Deshmukh’s death. Mr Shinde rose from his seat during the discussion and urged the chair to adjourn the proceedings in view of the Union Minister’s death.
BJP leader L K Advani also stood up and expressed grief and sorrow over the sad development, following which the House was adjourned till Thursday.