Speaker's 'shouting' remark upsets Kharge

A remark made by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Thursday upset Leader of Congress party Mallikarjun Kharge, prompting him to say that he never expected such words from her.

Soon after Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia raised during Zero Hour the issue of alleged incursion by China in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, Mahajan allowed Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Ray to speak about the same issue.

However, Kharge and some other Congress members rose from their seats and started demanding a response from the government.

Mahajan urged the Congress members to allow Ray to speak as he wanted to raise the same issue, but the Congress members would not relent.

An irritated Mahajan then said, "Please stop shouting."

Her remark prompted Kharge to say, "We are not shouting Madam, We are putting our points. I didn't expect such words from you."

Mahajan said, "You all three are speaking at a time. If it is not shouting then what."

After Mahajan's remark Congress members went back to their seats, but looked upset.

A similar scene was created in the House by both Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members, when the Mahadayi water dispute issue was raised.

The issue caused the two parties to engage in a noisy verbal duel, compelling Mahajan to intervene and urging the members to stop quarrelling.

"This verbal spat will serve no one. If you quarrel among yourselves, the issue will not be sorted out and the purpose will not be served," she said.

"I have asked members many times not to take name of anybody while raising a matter. If someone takes name, I immediately expunge that name. Despite understanding the fact, you take names," she said, adding that "aur phir mithi mithi awaz me chillate ho (and then shout in a sweet voice)."

--IANS

bns/kb/bg