Opposition disrupts Parliament over Baalu issue

The issue of alleged misuse of office by Shipping and Road Transport Minister T R Baalu rocked proceedings in both Houses of Parliament on Monday.

Rajya Sabha
Opposition National Democratic Alliance and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha after their demand for suspension of Question Hour to take up the issue was disallowed.

Soon after the House congratulated the scientists and engineers of ISRO for launching 10 satellites, AIADMK and Bharatiya Janata Party members were up on their feet demanding that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh clarify his position on the issue.

V Maitreyan (AIADMK) said notices have been given for suspension of Question Hour and demanded that the prime minister come to the House to explain what action was being taken against Baalu for allegedly seeking natural gas at concessional rates for firms run by his family.

BJP leaders also joined the chorus.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari observed that 'there is nothing that can be heard' and asked the members to take their seats. He said several notices for suspension of Question Hour had been received, but they cannot be allowed.

"Members can raise (their) concerns after the Question Hour," he said, calling for the first listed question of the day. This prompted the NDA and AIADMK members to walk out of the House.

Lok Sabha
Opposition

attempts to stall proceedings in the Lok Sabha on the Baalu issue proved to be futile as a determined Speaker Somnath Chatterjee refused to adjourn the House.

In an unusual step, the Speaker ordered most of the lights in the House and television cameras to be shut off for a brief period as repeated attempts by him to let the House function did not find favour with the members.

The House witnessed unruly scenes with Opposition members trooping to the Well of the House chanting slogans like 'dismiss Baalu' and 'save PMO from malpractices'.

Treasury benches too resorted to sloganeering citing 'misuse' of PMO during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee tenure.

"I am not going to adjourn the House," a determined Chatterjee said, adding, "out of shame" he had ordered turning off the lights as also the television cameras.

He also expressed 'total annoyance' at the behaviour of the members and condemned it.

"Please agree to no work, no pay principle," the Speaker said.

He said Opposition members should have given a notice in accordance with the rules and procedures.

"You do not want to give notice, but want to stall proceedings," he said and told the members that they were 'misusing' their position.

The Opposition members finally relented to an appeal from Chatterjee and went back to their seats allowing the proceedings to continue.