High drama was witnessed in Parliament on Thursday as Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MPs were dragged out with the help of marshals as they refused to leave the premises.
The MPs sat on a protest in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, soon after the House was adjourned around 2.45 pm. The parliamentarians who have been protesting for over a month to demand special status for Andhra Pradesh refused to leave the Upper House and continued their protest for more than five hours.
Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha P.J. Kurien met the members and tried to persuade them to leave but they refused.
TDP MPs from Lok Sabha later sat on a protest at the Central Hall in Parliament. The Lok Sabha was adjourned around noon. One of the MPs, Avanthi Srinivas was rushed to RML Hospital after he complained of low blood pressure.
Rajya Sabha Secretary General Desh Deepak Verma met the protesting MPs and requested them to vacate the House.
An official said they were awaiting orders from RS Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu whether marshals should be sent to evict the MPs. Around 8 pm, the marshals were sent in and the MPs were dragged out.
TDP MP CM Ramesh said, "marshals forcefully dragged us like cattle.This is an insult to people of Andhra Pradesh. We are fighting on behalf of the people. Our protests will further intensify until promises made to AP are fulfilled."
The parliamentarians clicked pictures of the protest and shared it with media as Rajya Sabha cameras are switched off when the House is not in session. In one of the videos, the MPs are seen shouting slogans of “we want justice” in front of Rajya Sabha staff.
Rajya Sabha, which saw several adjournments during the day reconvened at 2:26 pm, when members from the TDP stormed the Well carrying placards demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh. AIADMK members alsoprotested demanding setting up of a Cauvery management board.
As a warning, Mr. Kurien then read out the provisions of House Rule 256 and said all those protesting in the Well and obstructing normal business were all liable and eligible to be suspended.
