CPI-M, BJP members clash in RS for second day

For the second consecutive day, Left and BJP members clashed in Rajya Sabha over attack on CPI(M) office in New Delhi.

For the second consecutive day, Left and BJP members clashed in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday over attack on CPI(M) office in New Delhi leading to prolonged disruption and a brief adjournment of the House.

The House witnessed uproarious scenes during the Zero Hour after Brinda Karat (CPI-M) charged BJP leaders in Delhi with provoking and inciting their workers to attack Communists all over the country.

“This is the kind of politics of violence and intolerance they (BJP leaders) are practising,” she said, triggering spontaneous outburst from saffron party members.

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Amidst shouts of “shame, shame” from the UPA benches, Karat said last night some BJP and RSS workers made an attempt to damage a building in Hyderabad and tried to burn the portrait of Sundaraiah, one of the greatest freedom fighters.

She wanted the Home Minister to make a statement.

However, hitting back at Karat, senior BJP member M Venkaiah Naidu citied the violence in Nandigarm in West Bengal to silence their Left opponents and alleged that CPI(M) cadres had killed a large number of people in Kerala.

With members belonging to Left and BJP getting up from their seats and rushing towards the well, noisy scenes continued and the House was adjourned for five minutes to let the tempers cool down.

When the House reassembled, the Chair took up the next item listed for Zero Hour and observed that if members wanted further discussion, they could give a fresh notice.

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When the House assembled for the day, Acharia moved a notice seeking a discussion on the issue by suspending the Question Hour.

As the notice was rejected by the Speaker, Left members were up on their feet demanding that the matter be taken up for discussion. There were some heated exchanges between them and BJP MPs.

Chatterjee, angry over the disruption, made it clear that Question Hour will not be suspended. “Can’t you behave as serious political parties for the next 53 minutes? I request you from the bottom of my heart that please allow the House to function.”

He rebuked the MPs for making a mockery of Parliament and allowing people to ridicule them.

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When the Hosue took up issues of national importance during Zero Hour, Acharia and his Left colleagues again raised the matter. The House had to be adjourned till 1230 hours as verbal exchanges between the two sides continued.

When the House reassembled, similar situation continued, forcing the Speaker to adjourn it further till 1330 hours.