Andhra MPs continue protest; Rajya Sabha adjourned again

New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha saw two adjournments today as members from Andhra Pradesh, including NDA ally TDP, continued their protest demanding a special package for the state.

When the House met for the day and papers were laid on the table, KVP Ramachandra Rao (Cong) walked into the Well of the House holding a banner that read: “Implement Special Category Status, Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, assurance given by PM on 20.02.2014.” 

A group of TDP members soon joined him with their own placards and shouted slogans like “we want justice.”  Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu asked members to return to their seats so that the zero hour could be taken up. With members refusing to heed to his requests, Naidu said he had two options before him – adjourn the house or name the MPs.

Derek O’Brien (TMC) urged the chair to take action against MPs so that the Zero Hour and further discussion on the Union Budget could take place. Satyavrat Chaturvedi (Cong) too urged Naidu to take action so that the zero hour could be taken up.

Naidu, however, adjourned the proceedings till 12 noon. When the House met again, opposition members including O’Brien suggested that the Question Hour be done away with and discussion on the budget commenced. The chairman consented and Neeraj Shekhar (SP) began his speech. He said the budget was not in the interest of weaker sections.

However, members of the TDP and Rao again moved to the Well of the House. TDP members began shouting “we want justice” slogans. Chairman Naidu then adjourned the House till 2:30 pm. Some opposition members stood on their seats to show their unhappiness as they were keen on the budget discussion.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, BJP chief Amit Shah, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and others were then seen engaged in a discussion.