Protests over President's rule in Uttarakhand disturb Parliament proceedings

Congress members stormed the Well in both Houses, with party leader Mallikarjun Kharge staging a dharna in the Lok Sabha

The issue of imposition of President's rule in Uttarakhand echoed in the Parliament today with Congress members in both Houses storming the Well and party leader Mallikarjun Kharge staging a dharna in the Lok Sabha.

"It is a murder of democracy," Kharge said as the Lower House assembled for the day, telling Speaker Sumitra Mahajan that he has given a notice for an adjournment motion on the issue.

Members of JD(U) and AAP were also in the Well along with Congress and AAP leader Bhagwant Mann, who was repeatedly seen pleading with the Chair to allow Kharge to have his say.

Mann was also heard expressing concern over the drought situation in several parts of the country and farmer suicides. 

The imposition of President's rule in Uttarakhand has turned into a political controversy, especially after the state High Court stayed the decision last week. On the Centre's plea against that verdict, the Supreme Court has now temporarily stayed the High Court's move.

With the Speaker declining to allow him to speak on the issue, Kharge protested and sat in the Well of Lok Sabha while other Congress members continued to raise slogans.

Belligerent Congress members in the Lok Sabha were heard shouting slogans like 'Taanashahi band karo (Stop dictatorship)' and 'Modi sarkar hosh mein aao' (Modi government, come to senses). Congress President Sonia Gandhi was also seen protesting.