2G spectrum issue rocks Parliament

As soon as both the Houses met for the day, the AIADMK and the BJP members flashed newspaper reports of Mr. Raja’s alleged involvement in the scam in allocation of 2G spectrum and demanded his resignation.

In the Lok Sabha, the AIADMK members demanded Mr. Raja’s ouster, while the SP, the RJD, the BSP and the JD(U) members trooped into the well raising slogans demanding caste-based Census.

SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and RJD leader Lalu Prasad were seen moving towards Speaker Meira Kumar’s chair in support of their demand.

The Speaker’s repeated appeals to allow the Question Hour to proceed went unheeded as members continued to raise slogans on various issues.

Amid the din, Ms. Kumar adjourned the House till noon.

The Rajya Sabha saw two adjournments during the Question Hour on the issue of spectrum allocation.

Raising the issue as soon as the House met for the day, AIADMK member V. Maitreyan demanded that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh make a statement on the issue.

Mr. Maitreyan said he has given notice for suspension of Question Hour and wanted the Prime Minister to come to House and clarify on the matter.

“Everyday new facts are emerging in news reports (on the role of Raja in the telecom scam),” he said.

Mr. Maitreyan was supported by the BJP members.

Chairman Hamid Ansari said Mr. Maitreyan’s notice cannot be accepted if he disrupts proceedings and asked members to resume their places so that Question Hour can be taken up.

As the AIADMK members started moving towards the well, Mr. Ansari said “Please allow Question Hour to proceed.”

As the agitated members were unrelenting, he adjourned the House for 15 minutes.

When the House reassembled, Mr. Maitreyan said the Prime Minister should make a statement on the issue in the House. “We want the Prime Minister to clarify.”

As Opposition members continued with their protest, the Chairman adjourned the House till 12 noon.