Lok Sabha Disrupted, Adjourned For The Day

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha witnessed a shouting match between the ruling and opposition parties on Wednesday, with Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge getting angry at Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.

Members from the treasury benches began shouting as Kharge tried to speak in the house, while opposition members drowned Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar's comments in the noise. The house witnessed a disruption soon after it met. Within minutes of assembling at 11am, the Lok Sabha was adjourned till noon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present in the house at 11 am.

When the Lok Sabha met at noon, opposition members were already on their feet protesting. Amid the din, Mahajan allowed the introduction of a bill, and then Biju Janata Dal leader Bhartruhari Mahtab spoke on the arrest of former Air Force Chief S.P. Tyagi.

Soon after, Kharge stood to speak but the Speaker said the Congress members near the podium should go to their seats first. Meanwhile, members in the treasury benches stood on their seats and shouted "no" as Kharge tried to speak. An angry Kharge appeared to be shouting at the Speaker saying "how did you allow the BJD to talk."

Ananth Kumar

This is a very sad day, leader of the Opposition is challenging the Speaker. This is very unfortunate

Mahajan then said that none of the BJD members were standing near the Speaker's podium when Mahtab was allowed to speak. Ananth Kumar called it an "unfortunate day" but the Opposition also shouted at him.

"This is a very sad day, leader of the Opposition is challenging the Speaker. This is very unfortunate," the minister said.

He said the government was ready for a debate, and further accused the Congress of acting as a "commission agent". It led to a huge uproar from opposition members. As opposition members shouted slogans against the government, the Speaker adjourned the house for the day.

IANS