Both Houses of Parliament adjourned over Tharoor issue

Both Houses of Parliament had to be adjourned today during Question Hour after opposition parties created an uproar demanding that Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor submit his resignation over the Kochi IPL ownership controversy.

As soon as the Lok Sabha met for the day, members of BJP, SP, RJD and other parties demanded a discussion on the controversy surrounding Tharoor on the Kochi IPL team ownership issue.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs P K Bansal informed the House that Tharoor would make a statement in the Lok Sabha at 12 noon but the opposition benches were not pacified.

A miffed Bansal was heard complaining that Question Hour should not be done away with and Speaker Meira Kumar also pleaded with the Opposition to allow the proceedings to continue in the wake of the minister's statement.

BJP members raised slogans demanding that Tharoor step down. The Speaker then adjourned the House till 12 noon.

Similar scenes were witnessed in Rajya Sabha as soon as it convened for the day. BJP, SP and JD(U) members stood up and created an uproar seeking a discussion over the Tharoor issue, even as Chairman Hamid Ansari pleaded with them to allow Question Hour to continue.

AGP members also joined the Opposition parties, forcing the Chairman to adjourn the House till 12 pm.