Congress member bangs at Chair's desk in Rajya Sabha

New Delhi: Protesting over refusal to allow him to seek a clarification, Congress member KVP Ramachandra Rao on Thursday lost his cool and banged on Deputy Chairman's desk to vent his anger in Rajya Sabha, stunning the entire House.

Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad apologised on behalf of his party colleague who himself did not express any regret.

Rao, who hails from Andhra Pradesh and represents Telangana in the Upper House, interrupted during Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's reply to Budget.

He wanted to seek a clarification on the allocation for Andhra Pradesh.

He was joined by another Congress MP from the State J D Seelam and the duo rushed to the well of House demanding the Chair to allow them to ask their question.

However, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien did not entertain their plea and firmly told them that two members from Andhra Pradesh have already spoken on the issue.

An unsatisfied Rao did not return to his seat, saying he has the right to seek clarification as a member of the House and picked up a verbal duel with the Deputy Chairman.

At one point, Rao lost his cool and banged on Kurien's desk, reiterating his right to clarify, which stunned the Deputy Chairman and other members.

Two Congress MPs Satyavrat Chaturvedi and Ambika Soni went to pacify Rao and bring him back.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukthar Abbas Naqvi condemned his act and demanded an apology from the Leader of Opposition, contending that the House has never witnessed such a behaviour towards the Chair in the history.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu emphasised that the respect for the Chair was supreme.

"The members have raised an important issue and the Minister should reply... This incident is not going to add to the name of Rajya Sabha. There is some system in place and some respect for the Chair," he said, adding Rao is a physcian by profession and a civilised person as well.

But an unrelenting Rao kept on pressing for a clarification.

Later, Azad apologised for his party member's behaviour.

"I show all respect to the Chair. This is the only place where all the members including the Prime Minister have to respect the rules of the Chair... MPs from Andhra Pradesh were agitated. My party and I do not appreciate the thumping of the chair. I am sorry," he said.