Uproar over P Chidambaram's alleged role in Maxis-Aircel deal

NEW DELHI: Opposition BJP and AIADMK today created a storm in Parliament over the alleged role of Home Minister P Chidambaram in the Maxis-Aircel deal with Lok Sabha being adjourned till noon and Rajya Sabha twice during Question Hour.

The Lok Sabha also witnessed protests by Congress members over the death of a farmer allegedly in police firing in Bareli town of Madhya Pradesh yesterday.

As soon as Speaker Meira Kumar welcomed a delegation from Saudi Arabia and read out an obituary reference over the demise of former member Teklal Mahto, Congress members started raising slogans against the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government in Madhya Pradesh over killing of the farmer.

When BJP members raised the issue of alleged role of Chidambaram in the Maxis-Aircel deal, they were supported by members of AIADMK who rushed to the Well raising slogans.

The din forced Kumar to adjourn the House for an hour till noon.

Rajya Sabha witnessed similar scenes soon after Pradeep Kumar Balmuchu (Congress) took oath and the House mourned the death of former member Patitpaban Pradhan.

BJP and AIADMK members, displaying copies of a local English daily which carried a report on the Home Minister's alleged role in the telecom deal, shouted slogans demanding resignation of Chidambaram.

Tapan Kumar Sen (CPI-M) said he has given a notice for suspension of Question Hour to raise the issue of "US interference" in India's internal affairs. "They are dictating our oil imports," he said.