Parliament disrupted over 2G, Telangana and no-trust move

Both houses of parliament were disrupted Tuesday over the JPC report on the 2G spectrum allocation, formation of a separate Telangana state, and a notice for a no-confidence motion against the government.

Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned for the day without transacting much business.

In the Lok Sabha, the house was first adjourned till 12 noon, following protests over various issues that included the proposed creation of a Telangana state and the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) report on the 2G spectrum allocation.

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar said she has received a notice for no-confidence motion, which could not be taken up amidst the ruckus.

After treasury benches raised a ruckus when she said she has received the notice for no-confidence motion, Meira Kumar adjourned the house for the day.

The notice was submitted to the speaker by four members of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and six from the Congress Monday.

From the TDP, K.N. Rao submitted the no-confidence motion supported by party lawmakers N. Shiva Kumar, N. Kristappa and M. Venugopala Reddy.

The six Congress MPs who submitted the notice were L. Rajagopal, R.S. Rao, Arun Kumar, Sabbam Hari, Harsha Kumar and Sai Prathap, according to official sources.

In the Rajya Sabha, the question hour was lost as members raised various issues.

When the house reassembled, the ruckus started again as soon as the JPC report on 2G spectrum allocation was presented.

BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad raised a point of order, saying the dissent note given by his party members was changed by the JPC chairman.

"This report should not be allowed to be defended on the floor of the house," Prasad said.

Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley requested the chair to give a ruling if any committee chairman can "alter the substance of a dissent note".

Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien, however, said he could not make a comment as he had not read the report.

Kurien said there was no rule "that permits discussion on a report before it is tabled".

Agitated BJP members trooped near the chairman's podium as the report was tabled. The members started raising slogans, telling the government to "be ashamed".

TDP members also went near the chairman's podium, raising "Save Andhra Pradesh" slogans.

Members from the DMK were also seen making noisy protests from their seats.

Members of Left parties, AIADMK, Trinamool Congress and the Samajwadi Party also stood up to vent their protest on various issues.

Amidst the pandemonium, Kurien adjourned the house till 2 p.m.

The scene was similar when the upper house met at 2 p.m., and though the government withdrew and introduced a couple of bills, not much business could be transacted.

The house was soon adjourned for the day.