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The boycott of Union Defence Minister George Fernandes over the tehelka issue continued in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday with Left parties and Rashtriya Janata Dal members staging a walkout during Question Hour after Deputy Chairperson Najma Heptulla disallowed a discussion on the issue in the House.
The trouble arose after Republican Party of India member R S Gavai refused to put a question to Fernandes. "I do not recognise George Fernandes as defence minister," he said.
This led to an angry reaction from the treasury benches with members saying Gavai should not have got himself listed if he had planned not to ask any questions to Fernandes.
An angry Heptulla, who had a sore throat, asked the agitated Left and the Rashtriya Janata Dal members to stay calm.
"Have some manners," she said, while asking the members to adhere to instructions of the Chair. "If the members do not want to ask a question, then it is their loss," she said.
The Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani asked the Chair to find a solution to the 'problem'.
The leader of the opposition Manmohan Singh said, "We too want normalcy in the House. There have been circumstances, which led our party to take a particular decision. But I do agree that we should sit together to find a solution to this problem. May be we can discuss it in your chamber and leader of all parties can sit together.''
However, the Left Parties and the RJD members sought a discussion on the issue in the House.
"There can be no discussion during Question Hour," the Deputy Chairperson said.
Later, the Left parties and the RJD members staged a walkout.
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