Proceedings in Parliament touched a new low today with BSP chief Mayawati stunning the Rajya Sabha by her outbursts against Chairman Hamid Ansari over its frequent disruptions, because of which both Houses could not function for the third consecutive day.
Mayawati, agitated over the delay in consideration of a Bill for providing quota for SCs/STs in Government job promotions, targeted Ansari over disorder in the House for several days.
While she shocked the Rajya Sabha, her party MPs paralysed the Lok Sabha demanding clarifications on coal block allocation.
Mayawati’s outburst in the Upper House came at around 11:30 am when Question Hour was in progress and the Commerce and Textile Minister Anand Sharma was replying to queries.
She, along with her party colleagues, rushed into the House and started venting her ire even before taking her seat.
“We have seen in the last few days that every day the House is not allowed to function after 12 pm. You are Chairman of the House. It is your responsibility to ensure that it functions,” the BSP supremo said addressing Ansari.
The Chairman tried to pacify her but she was unrelenting as she said, “I am not ready to listen to anything ... Who will ensure that the House functions?”
She insisted that the House should run in order. “You are not seen here after 12 pm... What kind of House is this?”
A visibly shocked Ansari said it was the responsibility of everyone to ensure smooth functioning of the House. “You are a senior leader...the House is run with the cooperation of everyone. The House is running right now. You please allow the House to run,” he told Mayawati.
However, she did not relent and her party colleagues started shouting slogans against the Government like dalit virodhi ye sarkar nahi chalegi (anti-dalit Government is not acceptable). Ansari then adjourned the House till noon.
The Parliamentary tradition has been that the Chair is never questioned by a member on conduct of the House.
When the House reassembled, BSP members again trooped into the Well shouting slogans.
As the din continued, Deputy Chairman P. J. Kurien adjourned the House for another 30 minutes till 12:30 pm. Similar scenes were witnessed when the House met again, forcing Kurien to adjourn it for the day.