'PM went against Parliament by receiving Bush'

New Delhi, Mar 02: Demanding an apology from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for welcoming US President George W Bush, SP, Left, TDP and DMK members in both Houses of Parliament today lodged strong protests against his visit, saying receiving 'a person condemned by Parliament' was an 'affront to the nation'.

Demanding suspension of the Question Hour to discuss the matter, they disrupted proceedings, forcing adjournment of Lok Sabha till 1400 hrs and Rajya Sabha till 1200 hrs.

As soon as both the Houses assembled, the members were on their feet shouting slogans, 'Go Back Bush', "UPA government hosh me aao Bharat ka samman bachao" (UPA Government, come to your senses and save the honour of the country).

They sought to remind the government that Parliament had already passed censure motion against the US attack on Iraq and its continued occupation of the country, and Dr Singh has been a party to the motion against the Bush Government, when he was the leader of the opposition.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, senior Samajwadi Party leader Janeshwar Mishra and Left leader Nilotpal Basu said that in view of Parliament resolution passed by consensus, presence of President Bush in the country was an ''affront to the House'', and Dr Singh had defied all protocol of the House by reaching the airport to welcome him.

It was a clear case of compromising with the dignity of the House by the Prime Minister, they said.

UNI

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