Elders at cordial best on last day of tumultuous session

Members were at their cordial best in Rajya Sabha today as it met on the last day of a tumultuous session in which Telangana bill was passed amid bedlam and vociferous protests a day before.
Sharp wit and humour marked the proceedings as the entire House joined hands in thanking Deputy Chairman P J Kurien for his contribution in running the House and his "patience" with members on the troubled Thursday, when tempers ran high on the separate statehood issue.
TDP MP C M Ramesh, who was in forefront of protests over Telangana issue and was rapped by the Chair over his behaviour earlier, today offered an apology in the House as Kurien urged members not to cross the "Lakshman rekha" while protesting.

Kurien also chose the occasion to remind members of the importance of Question Hour, which has been a casualty through out the Winter Session due to disruptions.
Kurien, who has himself been minister twice, said members should not allow ministers to escape grilling, for which Question Hour offers an opportunity.
"Members lose the chance to grill the minister, even to expose them. Why the Honourable members lose the chance to grill the ministers? Should we do away with Question Hour?" he said.

After members spoke praising him and the way Rajya Sabha acted on the contentious issue of Telangana, Kurien said, "We have proved that we can rise to the occasion and behave as members keeping in mind the dignity of the House of Elders as we did yesterday..."

"For everything, there is a Lakshman rekha. When you react and oppose, do whatever you want but the Lakhsman rekha should be kept in mind," he said.
Pointing towards M Venkaiah Naidu, Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M) said, "He talks about Lakshman rekha while looking at Sitaram. Nobody knows Lakshman rekha better than Sitaram."
Balbir Punj (BJP) was quick to say, "Our Leftist friend has at least accepted that a Sita, Rama and a Lakshman exist.