The Hindu : Front Page : AIADMK MP evicted from Rajya Sabha for disorderly conduct

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AIADMK MP evicted from Rajya Sabha for disorderly conduct

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Rule 255 was invoked on Thursday for the first time since 1989, when Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari named V. Maitreyan of the AIADMK for disorderly behaviour and asked him to leave the House.

Rule 255 states: “The Chairman may direct any member, whose conduct is in his opinion grossly disorderly, to withdraw immediately from the Council, and any member so ordered to withdraw shall do so forthwith and shall absent himself during the remainder of the day’s meeting.”

In the morning, Mr. Maitreyan along with his AIADMK colleagues demanded a response from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was present in the House, to the charge that Union Surface Transport Minister T.R. Baalu sought a favour for his sons’ firms in allocation of gas.

The Chairman disallowed his plea and asked him not to disrupt the proceedings. However, Mr. Maitreyan continued to press for a “clarification” by the Prime Minister. At this stage, Mr. Ansari warned him that he would invoke Rule 255, observing that “this disorderly behaviour was unbecoming of a parliamentarian.” When an agitated Mr. Maitreyan remained adamant, Mr. Ansari said he was invoking the rule. Mr. Maitreyan then walked out.

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