Rajya Sabha adjourned briefly, then again for day

TDP MPs protest continues over proposed division of Andhra Pradesh

The Rajya Sabha was briefly adjourned in the post-lunch session on Friday, and later for the day, as TDP members gave voice to their concern over the proposed division of Andhra Pradesh.

As soon as Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal began speaking on coal block allocations, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) members sought to raise their concern over the decision to form Telangana state by dividing Andhra Pradesh.

Deputy chairman P.J. Kurien asked the TDP members to return to their seats, but they did not relent.

Kurien said he would be forced to take action against the members causing disruption. The deputy chairman's remarks were opposed by AIADMK member V. Maitreyan.

AIADMK and Bharatiya Janata Party are among the parties who have been pressing for a statement from the Prime Minister on the coal blocks allocations.

The Central Bureau of Investigation is probing the allocations, in which the opposition has alleged corruption.

Kurien said there cannot be double standards as members wanted clarifications on the coal minister's statement, but were not in favour of action to bring the house to order.

He adjourned the house for 30 minutes first, and later for the day.