In an unprecedented development, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Wednesday targeted Rajya Sabha Chairman, saying he did not prevent repeated disruptions by Samajwadi Party members to stop the passage of the Constitution Amendment Bill to provide reservation for SC/STs in job promotions.
Such was the ferocity of Ms. Mayawati’s tone that Mr. Ansari reportedly told several leaders, who later went to his chambers to express their regrets, “I am upset, it will be difficult to work in such a situation.”
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also called him up to share his concern over her outburst.
Since the government managed to defeat the Opposition motion against FDI in multi-brand retail last week, with generous help from the BSP and the SP, the Rajya Sabha has not been able to transact any business due to the stand-off between the U.P. rivals on the reservation Bill.
The BSP reportedly wants the government, with the consent of the Chairman, to move a resolution for suspending the SP members, as it happened in the case of the Women’s Reservation Bill. However, there are no takers for the proposal.
The BSP chief took the House by surprise as she got up from her seat even as question hour was in progress and began questioning the Chairman why he was not taking any steps to ensure the smooth functioning of the House after question hour.
She stunned the House by asking Mr. Ansari, who tried in vain to counsel her to take her seat and let question hour proceed, to answer her question.
“You will leave the House at noon and not be seen thereafter. Who will arrange for proper functioning of the House after that?” she asked.
As if taking their cue from their leader, the BSP members trooped into the well, and as commotion continued, Mr. Ansari adjourned the House. In the evening, he expunged Ms. Mayawati’s remarks from the records.
