Aircel-Maxis row stalls Parliament

AIADMK MPs disrupt proceedings with slogans

The impending Tamil Nadu elections made its first impact on Parliament on Tuesday with slogan shouting AIADMK MPs stalling the proceedings over the involvement of P Chidambaram and his son Karti in Aircel-Maxis case.

 The proceedings in both the Houses were washed out, prompting Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad to accuse the ruling BJP of organising the AIADMK protest to thwart a calling attention motion to discuss inflammatory speeches made by a Union Minister. Azad went on to say that it was a deliberate attempt to deny them the opportunity to raise the issue.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukthar Abbas Naqvi retorted, saying the Opposition was raising such allegations because they were depressed about their failure to corner the government on any issue. Even Health Minister J P Nadda could not move the motion of thanks to the President’s speech and initiate the discussion.  It was trouble from the word go in both the Houses with MPs armed with a newspaper report against Chidambaram and Karti demanding action shouting slogans “we want action, Aircel-Maxis why delay, why delay and NDA sarkar take action”. Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha witnessed frequent disruptions as AIADMK MPs rushed into the well whenever the House reassembled.

 At one point of time in the Rajya Sabha, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien even threatened to suspend the protesters by reading out from the rulebook but not to avail. He even said, “How can I take action? I can take action against you.”

 The protesting MPs were displaying copies of an English daily that claimed that Karti has invested in real estate across the world, as per investigations by the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax authorities during searches at his premises.

Karti denies  charges

Refuting claims that he made massive investments in real-estate across the world from money obtained out of the Aircel-Maxis deal, AICC member Karti Chidambaram said his businesses are legally compliant, DHNS reports from Chennai.

Karti’s clarification came after AIADMK members stalled proceedings in both Houses of Parliament on Tuesday.