Lok Sabha adjourned after Telangana Bill introduced

MP uses pepper spray in the Lok Sabha

In a shocking incident, an Andhra Pradesh lawmaker, who has been expelled from the Congress, on Thursday used pepper spray inside the Lok Sabha as the government introduced the controversial Telangana bill.

Lagadapati Rajagopal used pepper spray when Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde introduced the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill and there was a fight inside Parliament.

Rajgopal, an MP from Vijaywada, had to be rescued by watch and ward staff after he was attacked by other members after the spraying. Doctors were called and three MPs were taken to hospital.



Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath said that the incident is a big blot on democracy.

 

 "I am told that knives, pepper powder and other weapons were brought into the House," he said. 

Condemning the incident, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajeev Shukla said that strong action will be taken against erring MPs as it was an attempt to "kill" members.

The impact of the spray was such that an unspecified number of members were rushed to hospitals after at least four ambulances were pressed into service.

Some members were seen coming out of the House with watery eyes and seemed to be suffocating.



The Well of the Lok Sabha turned into a battle ground as fisticuffs broke out between members from Seemandhra and others, including Raj Babbar, Azharuddin, Lal Singh (all Cong) and Saugata Roy (TMC), who wanted to prevent disruptions in the House.

M Venugopal Reddy (TDP) first damaged a mike on the table of Secretary General and later snatched papers from the Speaker's podium, while Rajagopal broke the glass on the table and used the pepper spray. He also reportedly brandished a knife inside the House.

The pepper spray incident occurred despite unprecedented security in Parliament after a suicide threat by an MP. Fire extinguishers and blankets had been kept ready in Parliament after a Congress MP allegedly threatened to set himself afire to protest against Telangana. 

 

Meanwhile,  pro and anti-Telangana protesters clashed outside Parliament and a heavy contingent of  police arrived to remove them as the volatile political atmosphere spilled onto the streets.

 

In the Rajya Sabha, TDP MP C M Ramesh tried to pluck away mike of the Chair in protest against bifurcation of the state.

 

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met top ministers before Parliament began  to discuss whether to bring the bill today, as the government anticipated trouble.

On Tuesday, the Congress cracked the whip expelling six MPs opposing the formation of Telangana from the party for agitating. They had given notice of non-confidence motion against their own government.

The BJP offered conditional support to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the crucial Telangana bill, making it clear that the government should address concerns of the people of both Telangana and Seemandhra.