Telangana protest:12 Andhra MPs suspended in LS

Telangana protest:12 Andhra MPs suspended in LS

Acting tough against Andhra Pradesh MPs for continuously disrupting the House, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar today suspended 12 of them for five sittings under a rule which was used for the first time.

Similar action was threatened against two TDP MPs in Rajya Sabha by Deputy Chairman P J Kurien "for holding the House to ransom" but he could not do so as AIADMK and TMC opposed it.

In the Lok Sabha, the Speaker named the members - 8 from Congress and 4 TDP - for "grave disorder" after two brief adjournments of the House due to disruptions by their continued protests. All of them belong to Andhra and Rayalaseema regions.

The action was taken under rule Rule 374(A) of Rules of Procedure of the Lok Sabha. As per the rule, a member after being named by the Speaker stands "automatically suspended from the service of the House for five consecutive sittings or the remainder of the session, whichever is less".

The rule, which was used for the first time since its introduction in the last Lok Sabha, also states: "Provided that the House may, at any time, on a motion being made, resolve that such suspension be terminated."

The rule regarding automatic suspension is applied in the event of "grave disorder occasioned by a member coming into the Well of the House or abusing the rules of the House persistently and willfully obstructing its business by shouting slogans".

During their term of suspension, the MPs will not be allowed inside the Central Hall of Parliament also. There is no clarity, however, on whether they would be entitled for their daily allowances during the session.

After the House was adjourned for the day, the four TDP members continued to sit inside the chamber for several hours.

The action came a day after the government's effort to bring a motion for suspension of 10 members of the two parties was scuttled by a united opposition. The motion was subsequently withdrawn.