Lok Sabha disrupted, adjourned for the day

The Lok Sabha witnessed a shouting match between the ruling and opposition parties on Wednesday, with Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge getting angry at Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.

Members from the treasury benches began shouting as Kharge tried to speak in the house, while opposition members drowned Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar's comments in the noise.

Congress members also raised the issue of Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju's alleged involvement in a scam relating to a hydroelectricity project in Arunachal Pradesh, along with demonetisation.

The lower house witnessed disruption soon after it met. Within minutes of assembling at 11 a.m., the Lok Sabha was adjourned till noon.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present in the house at that time.

When the Lok Sabha met at noon, opposition members were already on their feet to protest.

Amid the din, Speaker Mahajan allowed the introduction of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2016.

Biju Janata Dal leader Bhartruhari Mahtab later spoke on the arrest of former Air Force Chief S.P. Tyagi by the Central Bureau of Investigation on Friday for alleged corruption in the AgustaWestland VVIP helicopter deal.

Soon thereafter, Kharge stood up to speak but the Speaker said the Congress members near the podium should go back to their seats first.

Meanwhile, members from the treasury benches stood up and shouted "no" as Kharge tried to speak.

An angry Kharge appeared to be shouting at the Speaker, saying "How did you allow the BJD (Biju Janata Dal) to talk."

Mahajan then said that none of the BJD members was standing near the Speaker's podium when Mahtab was allowed to speak.

Ananth Kumar called it an "unfortunate day" but the Opposition shouted him down too.

"This is a very sad day; Leader of Opposition is challenging the Speaker. This is very unfortunate," the minister said.

Kharge is leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, but not Leader of Opposition as the Congress does not have enough numbers to be recognised as the main opposition party in the house.

Ananth Kumar said the government was ready for a debate, and further accused the Congress of acting as a "commission agent". It led to a huge uproar from opposition members.

As opposition members shouted slogans against the government, the Speaker adjourned the house for the day.

--IANS

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