The Hindu : National : House disrupted over Bihar issue

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 24, 2005

National

National

House disrupted over Bihar issue

Special Correspondent

Opposition seeks debate on recalling Buta Singh, objects to Lalu's remarks

NEW DELHI THE: Opposition's demand for recall of Bihar Governor Buta Singh and the claim of Railway Minister Lalu Prasad that Mr. Singh was his "nominee" stalled proceedings in Parliament on Tuesday with both the Houses witnessing pre-lunch adjournments.

Opposition members insisted on discussing the issue by suspending question hour. It was rejected in both the Houses with Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee stating that the notice was not in order. Rajya Sabha Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhwat too did not agree to the request on the grounds that the notice submitted by S.S. Ahluwalia did not ask for suspension of question hour.

The Speaker adjourned the Lok Sabha till 2 p.m. after 22 minutes was lost in the Opposition raising the issue soon after the House assembled. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for a brief time till noon and later witnessed a verbal duel between the Opposition and ruling coalition benches.

On the Railway Minister's alleged observations about the Bihar Governor, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil told the Rajya Sabha that there was no need to discuss the matter on the floor of the House. "We all know how Governors are appointed." The Lok Sabha Speaker made a similar observation.

Mr. Patil's statement capped an hour of turmoil with members, mainly from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), demanding the recall of the Bihar Governor and "reining in" Mr. Prasad to ensure he did not make similar observations in future.

The Minister assured Ravi Shankar Prasad (BJP) that elections to the Bihar Assembly would be held in a "proper manner."

Dissatisfied BJP members entered the well of the House and resorted to slogan shouting even as the Chairman allowed three starred questions.

However, Mr. Shekhawat adjourned it after All India Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam members took exception to a question and joined the BJP in the well of the House.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National