2 ministers belonging to Lok Sabha face wrath in Rajya Sabha

NEW DELHI: Two ministers, opposing the Telangana bill, today earned the wrath of Deputy Chairman P J Kurien in the Rajya Sabha who said they belonged to Lok Sabha and should behave or leave the House.

His observation came when ministers K Chiranjeevi and K S Rao were causing disturbances over Telangana issue.

Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley invoked rules to say the Congress ministers, being members of Lok Sabha, cannot disturb the Upper House through their protests.

He pointed out that as per rules, ministers are allowed to reply to debates and answer questions in Rajya Sabha but not create disturbances.

Taking cognisance of this, Kurien asked the ministers to take their seats or withdraw from the House.

As the Deputy Chairman continued with the business of the House amid the din, Venkaiah Naidu (BJP) and some other members said the House should be first brought to order and only then can further business be transacted.

Naresh Agarwal ( SP) also raised a point of order over the government's effort to introduce the Telangana bill in the House.

He said as per Rule 232, a bill can be introduced in Rajya Sabha only after a day's notice but the Supplementary agenda provided to members this morning mentions the introduction of the crucial Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill in the House today itself, without that notice period.

By doing so members will not get a chance to move the amendments, Agarwal said and asked, "Has the Chairman given any direction that no amendments have to be moved by the members on the Bill?"

Kurien said it is the prerogative of the Chairman and he can allow introduction of the bill without notice.

Members asked the Chair to maintain the prestige of the House and not "bulldoze" any bill in the House and protested the move to introduce the Telangana Bill.

The SP members trooped into the Well to join the protesting TDP and Congress members and Deputy Chairman adjourned the House till 3 PM.