Ruling, Opposition MPs come together to demand smoking room

A group of MPs today met Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan requesting for a 'smoking room' after the space adjacent to the Central Hall was converted for other use

Even as the government and the opposition are locking horns in the monsoon session, lawmakers of rival sides came together for a common cause---for having a smokers room in Parliament.

A group of MPs, both from the ruling party and the opposition, today met Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan requesting for a 'smoking room' after the space adjacent to the Central Hall was converted for other use.

A stenographers pool is now using the room, till now being used by the members to enjoy a smoke.

"Please do not give the news or else anti-smoking activists would throw a spanner in getting an alternate accommodation," a BJP MP remarked.

A Congress MP, who was also a part of the delegation that met the Speaker, suggested that the place was not apt for stenographers.

The Speaker was asked the question on the issue by reporters during a meeting of the press advisory committee.

Mahajan said in half-jest that they should give-up smoking. She, however, immediately added that she had to look after everyone's demands.

An informal arrangement of having a smokers room was made after Central Hall and lobbies in Parliament House were declared a "no smoking" zone in 2004 by the then Speaker, Somnath Chatterjee.