Cong MPs demand debate on K'taka crisis in RS; stage protest

Congress Rajya Sabha MPs from Karnataka Tuesday accused the BJP of "destabilising" the state's coalition government as they raised the pitch for a debate on the crisis in the Upper House of Parliament.

They said that they will continue to protest till their demand for the debate in Rajya Sabha was not met.

The Rajya Sabha witnessed uproar over the Karnataka crisis with opposition Congress members storming the well of the House and raising slogans, leading to adjournment of proceedings for the day. Chairman of the House, Venkaiah Naidu, did not allow the Congress members to debate on the crisis.

The ruling Congress-JDS coalition in Karnataka has slipped into minority after 14 MLAs (11 from the Congress and three from JD-S) resigned and two Independents withdrew support to it.

Briefing the media, Congress MP B K Hariprasad said, "The BJP is saying it is not involved in destabilising the government. It is a big lie. From whose aircraft were the resigned MLAs flown to Mumbai?"