No reduction in security to leaders, says govt

Reports of scaling down of security cover to BSP supremo Mayawati today created a storm in the Rajya Sabha which witnessed two adjournments over the issue.     

The matter was resolved when the government assured the members that there would be no reduction in the security to four leaders including the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister.     

The House plunged into turmoil as soon as it met for the day with agitated BSP members storming the well to register their protest leading to disruption of the Question Hour.     

Before adjourning the House till noon, an upset Chairman Hamid Ansari said "this is an extraordinary example of indiscipline in the House. The rights of members are being violated."     

When the House reassembled, Minister of State of Parliamentary Affairs Prithviraj Chavan assured the members that security cover of leaders mentioned in their notice would not be reduced.     

To this BSP members wanted to know the names of the leaders. As the din continued, the House was adjourned for 15 minutes.     

When it met again, Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan informed that there would be no reduction in the security provided to Mayawati, BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and RJD president Lalu Prasad.     

The House then took up the listed business.