Opposition targets Chidambaram again in RS, LS

Home Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday came in the line of Opposition fire in Parliament over allegations that he had helped a Delhi hotelier which led to the disruption of both Houses.

The Lok Sabha witnessed uproar during Zero Hour with Bharatiya Janata Party and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam members rushing into the Well, demanding that Chidambaram be sacked. In the din, the House was adjourned till 2 pm.

As the House met again, Janata Dal - United leader Sharad Yadav raised the issue of Chidambaram, following which AIADMK members rushed to the Well, raising slogans. BJP members demanded the resignation of the home minister. There were demands that Chidambaram be sent to jail.

Members from the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Samajwadi Party also entered the Well, demanding early implementation of the Sachar Committee report.

In view of the din, Deputy Speaker Kariya Munda adjourned the House till Friday.

Earlier, the Lok Sabha was adjourned for almost two hours as BJP and AIADMK members trooped into the Well, while the Rajya Sabha witnessed an adjournment for over 50 minutes soon after it assembled for the day.

Chidambaram was not present in either of the Houses when the Opposition raised the issue.

As soon as the Upper House met, BJP members showed copies of an English daily carrying a report alleging that the home ministry under Chidambaram had earlier directed the withdrawal of FIR against one of his former clients accused of cheating and forgery.

BJP leader Chandan Mitra, who raised the issue of Chidambaram's alleged conflict of interest in the matter, was supported by other party members who then trooped into the Well, refusing to heed to Chairman Hamid Ansari's appeals not to do so.

To counter them, ruling Congress members stood up and displayed copies of another daily which had a report that a trust, with Anna Hazare as a member, had allegedly grabbed land in Pune.

Amid vociferous protests, Ansari adjourned the House.