New BJP handle to corner P Chidambaram; Privilege Notice in Par

NEW DELHI: The BJP found a new ground to attack Home Minister P Chidambaram for making a statement outside Parliament on the hotelier controversy, giving a Privilege Notice in the Lok Sabha and forcing adjournment of the Rajya Sabha.

Chidambaram, who has been facing BJP fire during the session over his alleged role in 2G scam, found himself a target of the Privilege Motion by party leader Yashwant Sinha who faulted him for his clarification outside the House on the issue of helping his former client.

The Home Minister was heckled during the Question Hour by BJP members who backed Sinha again during Zero Hour when he raised the Privilege issue.

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar said she would consider the notice given by Sinha. "I have received the notice. I will consider it and come back to you," she said.

But the BJP members were not satisfied and continued their slogan-shouting.

Earlier, after meeting of the BJP Parliamentary Party, party leader S S Ahluwalia told reporters, "Chidamabaram has talked to the media outside when the Parliament session is on. Instead of making a statement inside Parliament after giving a notice... he decided to give a statement to the media outside. This amounts to disrespect of Parliament".

The party did not allow the Rajya Sabha to function after Question Hour. It forced adjournment of the Upper House at 3 PM after repeated adjournments.