As soon as the House assembled at 1100 hours, Janata Dal United chief Sharad Yadav, his Samajwadi Party counterpart Mulayam Singh Yadav and Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Basudeb Acharia raised the issue, saying it was a "grave situation" facing the rural poor.
"A large part of the country is facing a serious drought situation. It is a national issue and it should be taken up right away. Will the government not allow us to discuss the issue," Sharad Yadav asked.
He was supported by members of all opposition. As Speaker Meira Kumar appealed to them to take up the matter during Zero Hour, the opposition members demanded adjournment of Question Hour to take up the debate.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said the issue could be discussed in-depth on Wednesday when the House takes up the Demands for Grants for the Agriculture Ministry.
"The Minister (Sharad Pawar) is also not in Delhi today," he said.
However, this failed to pacify the opposition members who started raising slogans like 'Kisan virodhi sarkar, nahi chalegi (down with anti-farmer government)'.
The Chair then adjourned the House for 20 minutes till 1130 hours.
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