SP-BSP tussle disrupts Lok Sabha

The tussle between arch-rivals Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party on Tuesday led to disruption of proceedings in the Lok Sabha briefly, with SP members demanding dismissal of Mayawati government in Uttar Pradesh.

As soon as Speaker Meira Kumar concluded her reference on International Women's Day, SP members began raising slogans demanding dismissal of the Uttar Pradesh government, complaining that it was showing "dictatorial tendencies".

With the slogan shouting hampering the conduct of Question Hour, the Speaker allowed SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav to make a brief statement.

Yadav thanked the Speaker and Home Minister P Chidambaram for saving his honour following the "attempts to humiliate" him by the Uttar Pradesh government.

The SP leader said he was disallowed from proceeding to Delhi to attend Parliament where he wanted to participate in the debate on railway budget.

"I thank you and the Home Minister. There were attempts

to humiliate me and you saved my honour," Yadav said.

"Barricades were raised near my house and a large posse of policemen surrounded my house and prevented me and Akhilesh (Mulayam's son and Kannauj MP) from proceeding to the Lucknow airport to board a plane for Delhi," he said.

"It was only after intervention from you (Speaker) and the Home Minister that the restrictions were lifted," he said.

As Yadav was speaking, members from his party trooped to the Well demanding action against guilty state government officials and dismissal of the UP government.

At this point, BSP leader Dara Singh Chauhan claimed that Yadav was misleading the House and wanted the Home Minister to make a statement on the issue and place the facts.

"We are getting the matter investigated thoroughly," the Speaker said and asked Yadav to ask his party members to return to their seat.

Following the assurances from the Speaker, the SP members returned to their seats.