Telangana issue rocks Lok Sabha again

PM's statement on the state of the economy was the only item on the agenda that could be taken up

Telangana issue was back with a bang in Lok Sabha today with TDP members returning after five days' suspension to stall the proceedings.

The House could not transact any business as it witnessed four adjournments before the Chair called it a day at 3 PM.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement on the state of the economy was the only item on the agenda that could be taken up.

TDP and Congress members from Seemandhra region repeatedly stormed the Well to raise the Telangana issue. They were, however, silent when Singh made the statement.

The day also saw protests over a host of other issues, including Trinamool Congress campaign to 'Save the Rupee', RJD raising the problem of floods in Bihar and UP, and AIADMK members highlighting the Tamil fishermen issue.

Amid uproar, the House was adjourned four times till 3 PM and finally minutes after it reassembled for the last time.

Though the House took up the long-delayed special discussion on the recent devastation in Uttarakhand with Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj initiating the debate, it adjourned for the day within minutes amid protests.

The Andhra MPs stormed the Well carrying posters saying 'We want United Andhra Pradesh', 'Justice to Telugu people' and 'We want Justice'.

Trinamool Congress members were also in the Well carrying placards - 'central govt making the country bankrupt', and shouting slogans like 'save rupee, save India' and denouncing the Prime Minister, Finance Minister and the government.

They also protested the government's 'inaction' in checking the rising prices of onions.

RJD Chief Lalu Prasad and party leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh were in the Well to draw the attention of the government over the floods in Bihar and UP, with Prasad saying 40 districts have been affected and crops destroyed.

At the same time, AIADMK MPs entered the Well raising slogans against the government for not taking adequate steps to save fishermen from Tamil Nadu from the alleged attack by Sri Lankan Navy.