The Hindu : Front Page : RJD, JD(U) MPs come to blows, almost

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Friday, Aug 25, 2006

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Front Page

RJD, JD(U) MPs come to blows, almost

Special Correspondent

Verbal duel over JD(U) leader Prabhunath Singh's remark against Railway Minister Lalu Prasad

PHOTOS: PTI

SOUND AND FURY: The Lok Sabha witnessed unprecedented scenes of disorder on Thursday following a remark by Janata Dal (U) leader Prabhunath Singh (bottom) against Railway Minister Lalu Prasad (middle). The emotions ran high, hot words were exchanged and members charged towards one another menacingly. Speaker Somnath Chatterjee's caution and words of wisdom were not heeded. The watch and ward staff arrived in strength and cordoned off the well of the House. The Speaker later expressed ``great annoyance and sorrow'' at the happenings.

NEW DELHI: Members of the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Janata Dal (United) nearly came to blows in the Lok Sabha after a verbal duel over JD(U) leader Prabhunath Singh's remark against RJD chief and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad. The sharp exchange led to two adjournments.

Trouble began during zero hour over Mr. Prabhunath Singh's remarks on alleged interference in protecting an accused in a molestation case in Bihar. This evoked a sharp reaction from the RJD members, Sadhu Yadav and Ram Kripal Yadav, who stormed the well. Sensing trouble, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee adjourned the House.

As soon as the Speaker left, Mr. Sadhu Yadav marched menacingly towards Mr. Prabhunath Singh but was stopped by the BJP MP Brij Bhushan Saran Singh and M.A.K. Swain. In the ensuing melee, R.K. Rana (RJD) pulled out a sound box from the reporters' desk placed in the well and hurled it towards Mr. Swain. Marshals cordoned off the area when the situation appeared to be getting out of hand.

Adjournment extended

When the House reassembled at 2 p.m., Deputy Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal extended the adjournment by an hour to enable the Speaker broker a peace.

At 3 p.m., Mr. Chatterjee condemned the incident and expressed "great annoyance and sorrow" over what happened after he had adjourned the House. He said he would go through the record of the proceedings and expunge any objectionable remark made by any member. He warned that any repetition of such happenings would attract strong action. All members must work to maintain and enhance the dignity of the House. "It should not have happened as it brings a bad name to our great institution and I am requesting all members to cooperate."

While Mr. Lalu Prasad apologised for the behaviour of his party MPs, Mr. Prabhunath Singh, who seemed upset, handed over his resignation to the Speaker, who promptly tore up the paper and cast it in the wastepaper basket.

Both Mr. Prasad and Mr. Prabhunath Singh said the incident came close to the pandemonium witnessed in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, while CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta pleaded that nothing be said to complicate the matter.

According to parliamentary sources, leaders of all parties, who met in the Speaker's chamber, were unanimous that the House should not adjourn on an acrimonious note.

A way out was found with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi walking the extra mile to ensure that the proceedings were not disrupted further.

PTI reports:

Talking to reporters outside Parliament, Mr. Prabhunath Singh challenged Mr. Lalu Prasad to resign and face him in elections in Bihar.

``I have submitted the resignation...because I want a probe into the incident that happened in the Lok Sabha. If I am found guilty I am ready to face action, but if the other side is guilty, action should be taken against Sadhu Yadav.''

``There are two reasons for my resignation. Either there should be some action against the guilty or my resignation should be accepted.

"The other reason is that I want to use the opportunity to challenge Lalu Yadav to vacate his Lok Sabha seat as I did and contest against me,'' he said.

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