Israeli attack in Gaza strip generates heat in Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI: Uproar was witnessed today in the Lok Sabha as several parties got together to demand a resolution to condemn Israeli raids in Gaza Strip but the government did not oblige.

Members of Congress, Trinamool Congress and PDP staged a walkout after the government said it has no intention of bringing a resolution to condemn Israeli raids as any action by the government "should not have any implications".

Parties like Congress, Trinamool Congress, PDP, IUML, Left, SP, NCP and AIMIM created uproar as they were demanding that the government bring a resolution condemning Israeli action and articulate its voice against the killings in Gaza Strip at the United Nations.

Responding to this, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said, "I have noted the views expressed by the members."

Ruling out any resolution, he said, "domestic politics should not affect our foreign policy."

He said the matter is "highly sensitive" concerning foreign policy and "any move by the government should not have any implications".

This led to uproar, with members questioning what implications Naidu was talking about.

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan told the members that they all had expressed their views and the government cannot be pressed for a statement.

Expressing unhappiness over the government response, members of Congress, under directions of Sonia Gandhi, staged a walkout. TMC and PDP members also walked out.

Earlier, the members of these parties trooped into the Well asking the government to make a statement. Rahul Gandhi too was seen in the aisle along with some of his Congress colleagues.

The issue came up after PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti gave a notice for adjournment motion during the Zero Hour.