BJP, TDP MPs protest over disruptive notice in Rajya Sabha

There was a furore in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, with members of Parliament, from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) protesting the fact that 22 MPs from both parties had been named in the bulletin on Wednesday for disrupting proceedings in the house.

The 20 BJP and two TDP MPs had disrupted proceedings during a discussion on the creation of a separate Telangana. MPs of both parties protested by raising slogans. The BJP protested against what it termed a “discriminatory” act as no ruling Congress MPs had been named.

In the midst of the proceedings, one of the TDP MPs, C M Ramesh, fainted and had to be rushed to hospital.

BJP MPs, led by Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley, staged a walkout from the house, absenting themselves from the proceedings, which included discussion on the Companies Bill.

But before they left, the BJP MPs made sure the Telangana issue would be again taken up for discussion in the House.

Minister for State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajeev Shukla then assured the house, “I will ensure it is listed for discussion after the Question Hour on Monday and the home minister makes a statement.”

The Congress also tried to defend its own MPs from Andhra Pradesh, who had also been raising slogans for a United Andhra. Party spokesperson Raj Babbar said, “This should not be construed as “disruption.” Any MP of any party, while being responsible to his party is also responsible to the constituency that he represents. He expresses their sentiments on the floor of the house.” He added that MPs cutting across party lines had been registering their protest.