The Hindu : National : Parliament proceedings disrupted

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Wednesday, Mar 12, 2008
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National

Parliament proceedings disrupted

New Delhi Bureau

NEW DELHI: Proceedings in both Houses of Parliament were disrupted on Tuesday as members from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Bharatiya Janata Party clashed verbally over the attacks on the Left party’s offices in several places across the country since Sunday.

The Rajya Sabha witnessed uproarious scenes after Brinda Karat (CPI-M) raised the issue of “continuing” attacks by BJP-Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activists on CPI(M) workers and offices in other parts of the country.

Demanding a response from the Home Minister, she said district unit offices were attacked by BJP-RSS workers in Kanyakumari, Nagercoil and Dehradun. They also attacked the Sundarayya Vignana Kendram in Hyderabad and tried to burn the portrait of freedom fighter P. Sundarayya, she said.

“All this happened after the BJP leaders gave provocative statements and instigated their workers to take revenge following their condemnation and isolation in Parliament. The Sangh Parivar is pursuing politics of violence, terror and intolerance. It talks about internal security but indulges in political violence,” Ms. Karat charged.

However, when BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu was allowed by the Chair to respond, Left MPs opposed it, resulting in pandemonium as both parties started shouting slogans. Mr. Naidu accused the CPI(M) cadres of killing innocent farmers in Nandigram and attacking BJP and Congress workers in Kerala. This again led to a ruckus, resulting in a five-minute adjournment.

The Lok Sabha witnessed two quick adjournments after question hour as Speaker Somnath Chatterjee refused to allow the CPI(M) to raise the issue since “it is a State matter.”

The CPI(M) had also submitted notices for suspension of question hour to raise the issue. A last attempt was made at bringing it up in the Lower House late afternoon after passage of the Railway budget.

The CPI(M) leader Basudeb Acharia’s assurance that he would make no reference to any State proved futile and the matter rested for the day after the Speaker said he would consider allowing it on Wednesday if a proper notice was submitted.

Addressing a press conference soon after, Mr. Acharia said the CPI(M) would now seek a discussion on the issue in the House under Rule 193. Stating that an attack on a party office was tantamount to an assault on democracy, he said CPI(M) offices and workers had been attacked in Hyderabad, Dehradun, Bangalore and Nagercoil.

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