Parliament disrupted as Oppn guns for Chidambaram

Proceedings in Parliament were disrupted on Tuesday as the Opposition demanded resignation of home minister P Chidambaram for his alleged role in Aircel-Maxis deal while Congress sought dismissal of BJP government in Madhya Pradesh over the killing of a farmer in police firing.

The government, however, dismissed the media report in which allegations were levelled against Chidambaram, saying it was "factually incorrect and totally baseless". It was not possible to transact any business in the pre-lunch session as the Lok Sabha was adjourned thrice till 2 pm. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned twice till noon after which normal business resumed.

In the Lok Sabha, trouble started as soon as Speaker Meira Kumar welcomed a delegation from Saudi Arabia and read out an obituary reference over the demise of former member Teklal Mahto. Members of the Congress started raising slogans against the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government in Madhya Pradesh over the killing of a farmer in police firing in Bareli town yesterday.

Carrying placards, the Congress members demanded dismissal of the BJP government in the state. Members of BJP and AIADMK created an uproar over the alleged role of Chidambaram in the Aircel-Maxis deal, demanding his resignation. Displaying copies of a newspaper which carried the report, they rushed into the well of the House. BJD MPs were also seen on their feet when BJP and AIADMK MPs raised the issue.

The din forced Kumar to adjourn the House for an hour till noon. When the House re-assembled, similar scenes were witnessed, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House till 12.30. There was a repeat of uproar forcing adjournment of the House at 12.35 till 2 pm.