SP member who snatched quota bill regrets conduct

Controversial Samajwadi Party member Yashvir Singh on Thursday sought to bring down the curtain on the issue of snatching a copy of the quota bill in the Lok Sabha from Minister V Narayanasamy by expressing regret.

Speaker Meira Kumar apparently let off Singh by saying in Lok Sabha that in future members should discuss issues in a 'proper and orderly' manner.

The Lok Sabha had witnessed shocking scenes yesterday when Singh snatched the Constitution (117th Amendment) Bill from Narayanasamy when he was moving it for consideration of the House.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi had leapt forward and tried to retrieve the Bill from Singh. A minor scuffle broke out in Lok Sabha as Congress members confronted SP members for their behaviour.

"I am greatly anguished by that incident. The honourable member has, on Thursday morning, expressed his regret. Now onwards, I would like all honourable members to discuss all issues in a proper and orderly manner in the House," the speaker said.

Kumar said an untoward incident had led to the abrupt adjournment of the House on Wednesday, when the minister for personnel and public grievances was moving the bill for consideration.

"The unfortunate incident has set us all thinking as it shakes the very foundation of our parliamentary democracy," the speaker said.

She said in a democracy there may be differences of opinion on issues. "But the issues should be resolved through debates and discussions. There are provisions for voting to ensure that the majority will prevails. Wednesday's incident is not in conformity with the democratic traditions of this House."

The incident had led to commotion in the House and triggered a war of words outside between the Congress and its ally SP, which is strongly opposed to reservation in promotion for SCs and STs in government jobs.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath had said he would urge the speaker to take action against the SP member.