Rajya Sabha adjourned till noon

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 12 p.m. on Friday amid protests by members from Andhra Pradesh over their demand of special status for the state.

Soon after the House met, Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu conducted the important legislative business and allowed the members to raise their issues in Zero Hour.

However, members from Andhra Pradesh trooped near the Chairman's podium and started sloganeering.

"We want justice," the agitating members, including C.M.Ramesh, were heard saying.

Naidu urged the members to go back to their seats but they continued their protests.

"I can't run the House like this. I can't continue with both (Zero Hour and protest). This is not the way. Go back to your seats. You are lowering the dignity of the House.

"I have only two options. Either to name them or to adjourn the House," Naidu said.

Trinamool member Derek O'Brian urged the Chairman to continue with the Zero Hour, saying the members are waiting to raise their issues.

Naidu said he could not run the House amid ruckus and then adjourned the Upper House till noon.

Earlier, the TDP and YSR Congress members protested near Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament house complex raising slogans demanding 'justice' for Andhra Pradesh.

Friday is the last day of the first half of Budget Session. It will resume \\on March 5, and conclude on April 6.

--IANS

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