Date:08/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/08/stories/2007050811700100.htm
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Modi should quit, say Left, Congress

Special Correspondent

Fake encounters, Nandhigram issue rock Parliament


  • SP also backs demand
  • Reported phone call to Manmohan raised

    NEW DELHI: Business in both Houses of Parliament was disrupted on Monday over some issues with the Rajya Sabha being adjourned for the day while the Lok Sabha proceedings were stalled during the entire morning session.

    The U.S. "pressure" on India with respect to the nuclear agreement, Gujarat `encounter' deaths, the tension in Nandigram and the presence of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) activists at a rally were the issues that rocked the Houses.

    Madhusudan Mistry (Congress) was on his feet as soon as the Lok Sabha met and sought the resignation of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi over fake encounters. He received full support from the Left and Samajwadi Party (SP) members.

    Within seconds, the Opposition was on its feet trying to pin down the Government on the Nandigram firing. When repeated assurance by Speaker Somnath Chatterjee that he would allow the matter to be raised after question hour went unheeded, he adjourned the House until noon.

    When it reconvened, pandemonium broke out with Vijay Kumar Malhotra (BJP) raising the Sethusamudaram Ship Canal Project. The DMK members countered it by raising the Gujarat encounter issue. At this point, BJP members trooped into the well suggesting that since the Speaker had granted them permission to raise the matter, they should be allowed to discuss it.

    Noisy scenes prevailed for some time despite attempts by Mr. Chatterjee to pacify the members, following which the House was adjourned until 2 p.m.

    The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for an hour after the Congress members raised the Gujarat issue.

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