Rajya Sabha disrupted again, witnesses ugly scenes

Pandemonium prevails in the upper House over the proposed formation of Telangana

Disruptions continued in the Rajya Sabha on Monday and ugly scenes were witnessed when an AIADMK leader pulled at the chairman's microphone and tore up some official papers of the house.

The upper house witnessed protests over the proposed formation of Telangana, while members from Tamil Nadu demanded discussion on the issue of Tamil fishermen.

When the house met after its first adjournment at 12 noon, members from Andhra Pradesh belonging to the Congress and TDP were seen gathered near the chairman's podium with placard demanding a "united Andhra Pradesh".

As the anti-Telangana members raised slogans, AIADMK leader V. Maitreyan, who was also near the chairman's podium, tore up some booklets that carry the details of business of the house.

Maitreyan was also seen trying to pull the chairman's microphone when Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien adjourned the house till 2 p.m.

The protests were even more intense when the house reassembled as Maitreyan again pulled at the chairman's microphone and tore papers near the podium. He was stopped by the Rajya Sabha staff.

The unruly behaviour continued till Kurien adjourned the house for the day.

Earlier, as soon as the house met for the day, protesting members were on their feet, trooping to the chairman's podium.

Chairman Hamid Ansari for a brief moment was seen just sitting back in his chair and watching members who tore up some papers. He then adjourned the house for 10 minutes, and then again till 12 noon.