Parliament still paralysed over Telangana, other issues

With both houses of parliament remaining paralysed for the fourth day Monday over Telangana, ugly scenes were witnessed in the Rajya Sabha when a member pulled out the chairman's microphone.

The Rajya Sabha saw protests over the proposed formation of Telangana while members from Tamil Nadu demanded a discussion on the issue of Tamil fishermen.

Tempers ran high in the upper house as some members objected to the mention of 10 MPs for action against them for "violation of rules" in the house last week while protesting over various issues.

When the house met after its first adjournment at 12 noon, members from Andhra Pradesh belonging to the Congress and the Telugu Desam Party were seen gathered near the chairman's podium with placards demanding a "united Andhra Pradesh".

V Maitreyan of the AIADMK and T.M. Selvaganapathi of the DMK tore up some booklets that carry the details of the business of the house. Maitreyan was also seen trying to pull the chairman's microphone.

Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien then adjourned the house till 2 p.m.

The protests were even more intense when the house reassembled as Maitreyan again pulled at the chairman's microphone and tore papers near the podium. He was stopped by the watch and ward staff of the Rajya Sabha.

The unruly behaviour continued till Kurien adjourned the house for the day.

Earlier, as soon as the house met, protesting members were on their feet, trooping to the chairman's podium.

For a brief moment. Chairman Hamid Ansari was seen just sitting back in his chair and watching members who tore up some papers. He then adjourned the house for 10 minutes and then again till 12 noon.

In the Lok Sabha, as soon as the house met at 11 a.m., members favouring and opposed to the formation of a Telangana state started shouting slogans.

They were joined by members of the Samajwadi Party who protested against the communal violence bill.

Shiromani Akali Dal members were also on their feet with placards demanding that Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi name those behind the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Amid pandemonium, Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned the house till 12 noon.

When the house met again at noon, similar scenes were witnessed.

The speaker's repeated appeals to members to return to their seats evoked no response, forcing her not to take up notices for no-confidence motion submitted by V. Aruna Kumar of the Congress and K. Narayana Rao of the TDP.

As the din continued, Meira Kumar adjourned the house for the day after tabling of papers.