Members come close to blows in LS over terrorist barb

Members of the Opposition and the treasury benches almost came to blows in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday as BJP member Hukum Dev Narayan Yadav made an oblique reference to the Opposition coalition as a gathering of “terrorists and extremists”.

Hukum Dev initiated the discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President's address amid slogan shouting by Trinamool Congress members, slamming the Centre-West Bengal standoff on the CBI probe in the Saradha chit fund scam.

The BJP veteran, who had moved to a front row seat, was listing the initiatives taken by the Modi government for the poor and to check corruption.

“It is an irony that on the one hand Narendra Modi government is taking action against the dishonest, thieves, anti-nationals, and on the other marauders, dishonest, terrorists and extremists are gathering together and raising slogans 'chowkidar chor hai',” Hukum Dev said, triggering angry reactions from the Opposition.

SP member Dharmendra Yadav charged at the BJP member and demanded that Hukum Dev withdraw his remarks. Trinamool members, who were raising slogans, were oblivious to the BJP member's remarks.

As the verbal duel continued, Trinamool member Aparupa Poddar and LJP member Veena Devi made threatening gestures at each other.

Protective ring

As Dharmendra menacingly gestured at Hukum Dev, BJP members led by Nishikant Dubey formed a protective ring around their party colleague.

In the melee, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the proceedings briefly and BJP chief whip Anurag Thakur was seen placating Dharmendra.

When proceedings resumed, Hukum Dev shifted to another seat, safely ensconced by BJP members.

Invoking Mahabharata, Hukum Dev said the 2019 general election will be “a battle between truth and falsehood."