Congress protests on Arunachal issue force Lok Sabha adjournment

Congress' attempt to raise the issue of political developments in Arunachal Pradesh led to the abrupt adjournment of the Lok Sabha today after the Speaker disallowed party leader Mallikarjun Kharge from raising the issue.

The adjournment followed noisy scenes when several BJP members protested against the practice of Congress members raising their issues after trying to disrupt the House, inviting vociferous protests from the opposition party.

As soon as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan allowed Deepender Singh Hooda (Cong) to speak in the Zero Hour, prior to which Congress members were raising slogans from the Well, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Pratap Rudy objected, saying "we will not agree to this behaviour".

The Speaker told the treasury benches that "this is something different", as Hooda wanted to speak about the privilege notice he had submitted.

Amid protests from BJP benches, Hooda said an invitation to him for an event in Rohtak, the constituency he represents, was withdrawn.

The protests grew as he dwelt at length on the issue, prompting Mahajan to disallow him observing that members are not supposed to make a speech on privilege notices. "Your notice is under my consideration," she said.

BJP and Congress members indulged in heated exchanges even as the Zero Hour went ahead.

Kharge was heard remarking to the Speaker that "if you will not protect us, then who will".

Saugata Roy (TMC) was seen repeatedly seeking the Chair's permission to speak. However, the Speaker told him to raise his issue and not speak for others.

Congress members kept protesting intermittently and pressing the Chair to allow party leader M Veerappa Moily to raise a matter, to which Mahajan said she is going to let him speak but he would have to raise the issue of petrol price hike on which he had given a notice.

Amid the protests, Kharge raised the issue of developments in Arunachal and was immidiately disallowed with the Speaker observing that she had allowed the matter to be raised yesterday. Then, she abruptly adjourned the House for lunch recess.

However, Congress members, unlike the last three days, did not walk out and remained in the House in an apparent change of tactic.

Congress leaders, including Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, had yesterday met President Pranab Mukherjee and lodged a strong protest against state Governor Jyoti Prashad Rajkhowa, accusing the Modi government of trying to "oust" the Congress regime in Arunachal Pradesh with a "pre-planned design".