Bundelkhand: BSP brings Parliament to a standstill

Stepping up pressure on the United Progressive Alliance government, Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party on Tuesday forced brief adjournments in both the Houses of Parliament, demanding an immediate financial package of Rs 80,000 crore for Uttar Pradesh.

"Stop politics in name of Bundelkhand and Poorvanchal," the BSP members shouted in the Lok Sabha while demanding assistance for development of the two backward regions.

The BSP has raised the pitch on the issue in recent days with UP Chief Minister Mayawati threatening to withdraw support to the Centre if it failed to provide the package and bring down prices of essential commodities.

As soon as the new members took oath and Speaker Somnath Chatterjee read out a message on Earth Day, BSP member Brajesh Pathak demanded suspension of the Question Hour to take up discussion on the plight of farmers in Bundelkhand.

Newly sworn-in members of the BSP Akbar Ahmad Dumpy and Kushal Tiwari also joined the noisy protests, prompting the Speaker to take a swipe at them for their behaviour on the first day.

The Speaker, however, refused to suspend the Question Hour saying the matter could be taken in the Zero Hour. The BSP members continued with their slogan shouting and amid the din, Chatterjee adjourned the Lok Sabha for 50 minutes till noon.

When the House reassembled, BSP members raised slogans and later staged a walkout.

Similar scenes were witnessed in the Rajya Sabha where BSP member S C Mishra demanded a discussion on the 'burning issue' of drought in the region. Chairman Hamid Ansari adjourned the Rajya Sabha for 15 minutes as BSP members indulged in slogan shouting, disrupting the proceedings.

Mishra and other BSP members continued to raise slogans after the Upper House met again. The Chairman refused to accede to their demand, asking them to raise the issue during the Zero Hour. The unhappy BSP members then staged a walkout.