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Friday, Apr 25, 2008
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Maitreyan: Opposition protests action

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Opposition in the Rajya Sabha protested on Thursday against the Chairman naming AIADMK member V. Maitreyan for disorderly behaviour under Rule 155 and asking him to leave the House.

Mr. Maitreyan, supported by his colleagues, had demanded a response from the Prime Minister to the charges against Union Surface Transport Minister T.R. Baalu that he sought a favour for his sons’ firms in allocation of gas. Chairman Hamid Ansari invoked the rule when he refused to back down despite repeated warnings during the pre-lunch session.

Senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj raised the issue in the afternoon session and was supported by members from the Samajwadi Party, the AIADMK, the Telegu Desam Party and other Opposition parties. P.J. Kurien, who was in the Chair, disallowed “any criticism” of a ruling by the Chair.

Uproarious scenes ensued with Opposition members shouting slogans. Ms. Swaraj said though members from all sides, including Ministers, had disrupted proceedings, she had never seen a party leader being named and asked to leave the House during her long tenure in the Rajya Sabha.

When Mr. Kurien said the Chair’s ruling could not be questioned, Amar Singh (SP) said there must not be selective use of rules. “I am helpless,” Mr. Kurien said. “Instead of shouting here, go and meet the Chairman.”

The Chair allowed discussion on the working of the Human Resource Development Ministry, but nothing was audible amid bouts of slogan shouting by agitated members.

House adjourned

After a prolonged logjam, Mr. Kurien adjourned the House for the day leaving the issue to be sorted out by the Business Advisory Committee headed by the Chairman.

Mr. Baalu had on Wednesday admitted that he “put in a word” to the Union Petroleum Minister to get natural gas allocation for two companies owned by his sons.

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