New Delhi, July 28: Political developments in Arunachal Pradesh today caused a ruckus in Rajya Sabha when angry Congress and other Opposition members clashed with those from ruling benches, forcing adjournment of the house for half an hour. The Opposition charge that an insurgent outfit with whom the NDA government was having peace negotiations was out to destabilise the Congress government in the sensitive border state created an uproar during Zero Hour with both sides trading charges and counter-charges.
Amid pandemonium, deputy chairperson Najma Heptulla adjourned the house for 30 minutes ahead of the lunch recess.
Raising the issue, senior Congress member Arjun Singh alleged "a subtle and very sinister game is being played in the most sensitive area of north-east... I do not know whether the Prime Minister is aware of it.. Normally no PM can shirk his responsibility in knowing about it and acting on it."
The sensitivity in the state becomes heightened because of the fact the intention of the neigbhour was also under question, Singh said.
Stating the NDA government was "playing with fire", he said the Prime Minister should know what his colleagues were doing in that area to "get political advantage".
Vehemently rejecting as "baseless and objectionable" the charge made by the opposition, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj assured the members that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee would respond to their sentiments in his reply to a debate in the House on his visit to China.
Vajapyee had made a statement on his foreign visit but the clarifications were skipped as the government agreed to have a full-fledged debate on it later during the session.
Making a scathing attack on the NDA government, Congress member Pranab Mukherjee said the formation of a new government could not be decided in the drawing room of governor but it should be on the floor of the House. Bureau Report