The Lok Sabha was adjourned twice on Friday, with the Opposition demanding the dismissal of Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram following allegations relating to his son's dealings in a telecom company.
The proceedings were disrupted as the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Janata Dal(United) and the AIADMK stormed the well.
Yashwant Sinha of the BJP, who gave notice for a discussion on Mr. Chidambaram's alleged role in the transaction, said: “Mr. Chidambaram has indulged in massive corruption. He should be dismissed as Home Minister immediately.”
Noisy scenes
Speaker Meira Kumar rejected the notice, a decision that led to noisy scenes and the subsequent adjournment. When the House reassembled, similar scenes reoccurred, with the AIADMK and JD(U) members raising slogans, demanding that Mr. Chidambaram step down, or the government dismiss him.
As the members were unrelenting, Ms. Kumar adjourned the House till 2 p.m.
On Thursday, Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy accused Mr. Chidambaram of delaying permission for the sale of Aircel to the Malaysia-based Maxis in 2006, when he was Finance Minister, for the benefit of his son Karti.
Farmers' issue
The BJP members were also protesting against the government's alleged anti-farmer policies. Demanding a better deal for farmers in the Minimum Support Price for wheat, they wanted the government to realise their plight. “This anti-farmer government will not continue,” they shouted, with the JD(U) members joining the chorus.
When the House met at 2 p.m., NDA convener Sharad Yadav pointed out that despite repeated demands, the Opposition members were not allowed to highlight the plight of farmers.
“Several issues were raised, but this… was not allowed to be taken up,” he said, leading the NDA members out. Samajwadi Party members spoke on the issue, but they did not walk out.
