Uproar over Chidambaram's alleged role in Maxis-Aircel deal

Opposition BJP and AIADMK today created a storm in Parliament over the alleged role of Home Minister P Chidambaram in the  with Lok Sabha being adjourned till noon and Rajya Sabha twice during Question Hour.

The Lok Sabha also witnessed protests by Congress members over the death of a farmer allegedly in police firing in Bareli town of Madhya Pradesh yesterday. 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, Congress members started raising slogans against the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government in Madhya Pradesh over killing of the farmer.

When BJP members raised the issue of alleged role of Chidambaram in the Maxis-Aircel deal, they were supported by members of AIADMK who rushed to the Well raising slogans.

The din forced Kumar to adjourn the House for an hour till noon. Rajya Sabha witnessed similar scenes soon after Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu (Congress) took oath and the House mourned the death of former member Patitpaban Pradhan.

BJP and AIADMK members, displaying copies of a local English daily which carried a report on the Home Minister's alleged role in the telecom deal, shouted slogans demanding resignation of Chidambaram. Tapan Kumar Sen (CPI-M) said he has given a notice for suspension of Question Hour to raise the issue of "US interference" in India's internal affairs. "They are dictating our oil imports," he said.

Chairman Hamid Ansari asked members not to display newspapers and to resume their places so that Question Hour could be taken up.
"You can't be heard," he said, as Sitaram Yechuri (CPI-M) stood up to make a submission.

"I can't hear anything. You take it up at appropriate time," Ansari remarked. M Venkiah Naidu (BJP) said Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley wanted to make a statement.
But Ansari said "he hasn't asked for the floor." As members shouted "Chidambaram istifa do (Chidambaram resign)", he adjourned the House for 10 minutes.

When the House reassembled, Ansari welcomed a parliamentary delegation from Saudi Arabia seated in the special box. Soon, BJP and AIADMK members were on their feet shouting slogans against Chidambaram and the government. Ansari then adjourned the House till noon. 

When the Lok Sabha reassembled at noon, similar scenes were witnessed with Opposition BJP and AIADMK again raking up the issue of Chidambaram's alleged involvement in the scam.

Opposition benches raised slogans as AIADMK members trooped into the well, with BJP members joining them later.

To counter them, Congress members also came to the aisle, carrying placards demanding sacking of the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh for firing on agitating farmers.

Slogans and counter-slogans continued as the Speaker directed laying of papers.
With the din continuing unabated, Kumar adjourned the House till 1230 hours.