Proceedings in both Houses of Parliament were today disrupted in the wake of media reports alleging that the Home Minister, Mr P. Chidambaram, had helped a Delhi hotelier with slogan-shouting Opposition members demanding his sacking.
The Lok Sabha was adjourned for almost two hours as BJP and AIADMK members trooped into the well, while the Rajya Sabha witnessed an adjournment for over 50 minutes soon after it assembled for the day.
Mr Chidambaram was not present in either of the Houses when the Opposition raised the issue.
As soon as the Upper House met, BJP members showed copies of an English daily which published a report on Mr Chidambaram’s alleged interest in a legal dispute involving a Delhi-based hotel and its owners whom he had represented as a lawyer prior to becoming a minister.
The report also alleged that the Home Ministry under Mr Chidambaram had earlier this year directed the withdrawal of FIRs against the hotel owner accused of cheating and forgery.
Mr Chandan Mitra (BJP), who raised the issue of Mr Chidambaram’s alleged conflict of interest in the matter, was supported by other party members who then trooped into the well, refusing to heed to the Chairman Mr Hamid Ansari’s appeals not to do so.
To counter them, ruling Congress members stood up and displayed copies of another daily which had a report that a trust, with Mr Anna Hazare as a member, had allegedly grabbed land in Pune.
As vociferous protests continued, Mr Ansari adjourned the House till noon.
The Lok Sabha also witnessed uproar during Zero Hour with BJP and AIADMK members rushing into the Well demanding that Mr Chidambaram be sacked. In the din, the House was adjourned till 2 pm.
Mr Inder Singh Namdhari, who was in the Chair, allowed CPI(M) leader Mr Basudeb Acharia’s calling attention motion over the situation arising out of non-revision of wages of IDBI employees.
As soon as Mr Acharia called attention of the government, BJP and AIADMK members rushed into the well shouting slogans seeking the sacking of Mr Chidambaram.
In the din, senior BJP leader Mr Yashwant Sinha was heard saying he had moved an adjournment motion on the issue and sought its acceptance by the Chair.
Samajwadi Party chief Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav, backed by his party MPs, was seen trying to raise some issue which could be heard in the din.
As the melee continued, Mr Namdhari adjourned the House till 2 PM.