Adjournment, walkout in RS over 2G spectrum issue

Opposition AIADMK today forced a brief adjournment of Rajya Sabha before staging a walk out demanding Telecom Minister A Raja's dismissal from the Union Cabinet over his alleged involvement in the 2G spectrum scam.

As soon as the House met for the day, AIADMK members were on their feet displaying CDs and newspapers carrying purported taped conversation with Raja and lobbyist Nira Radia.

"I have given a notice for suspension of Question Hour," V Maitreyan (AIADMK) said. "The whole of yesterday, television channels played CDs (of the conversation)," he said showing a CD.

Chairman Hamid Ansari asked members not to show CDs or display newspapers. "This is incorrect. Please do not disrupt Question Hour," he said.

He asked members to resume their places so that Question Hour could be taken up.

AIADMK members, however, were unrelenting and raised solgans demanding dismissal of Raja and an explanation on the issue from the Government.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was present in the House during the uproar.

With members unrelenting, Ansari adjourned the House for 10 minutes.

Similar scenes were witnessed when the House met again.

"This is irresponsible," Ansari said calling for first listed question. "Nobody is hearing you, you are shouting in vain," he said, warning that he would take action against the slogan-shouting AIADMK members.

Soon after, the AIADMK members staged a noisy walkout with Ansari observing that their behaviour was "disgraceful" before taking up listed agenda.