Parliament disrupted on the first day of the monsoon session over Telangana

NEW DELHI: Both Houses of Parliament were disrupted on the first day of the monsoon session with MPs from the ruling Congress and TDP opposing creation of Telangana state.

Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj pointed out on Twitter that Lok Sabha could not transact any business “because Congress MPs from Andhra disrupted the proceedings”.

Amid repeated protests throughout the day, the Lok Sabha was adjourned at 3 pm and the Rajya Sabha just 15 minutes later.

Before that, Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram made a statement in the Rajya Sabha saying the government was open for a structured discussion on the Telangana issue but at an appropriate time only after the Union Cabinet takes a decision on the “substantive and procedural issues” of creating a separate Telangana state, saying that the home ministry was in the process of bringing a comprehensive note to the Cabinet for the same.

“The Constitution of India lays down a procedure for formation of a new state. Besides, a number of substantive matters have to be addressed within the formation of a new state. These matters are under consideration of the government,” Chidambaram said. He said the Cabinet would decide on issues like sharing of river waters, generation and distribution of electricity, safety and security of all residents in Andhra, Telangana and Rayalseema regions and the guarantee of Fundamental Rights to all residents.