New Delhi: Proceedings in both Houses of Parliament were on Thursday disrupted in the wake of media reports alleging that Home Minister 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.
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 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
Chidambaram had earlier this year directed withdrawal of FIRs
against the hotel owner accused of cheating and forgery.
Chandan Mitra (BJP), who raised the issue of 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 Chairman 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 Anna Hazare as a member, had allegedly grabbed
land in Pune.
As vociferous protests continued, 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
Chidambaram be sacked. In the din, the House was adjourned
till 2 pm.
PTI
