Ahluwalia, Chidambaram scuffle; CPM asks apology

New Delhi, Mar 20: CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury has demanded an ''unqualified regret'' for the behaviour of the BJP/NDA members in the Rajya Sabha yesterday failing which a resolution of the House condemning such behaviour be adopted.

In a letter to the Rajya Sabha Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Mr Yechury expressed his ''shock and pain at the condemnable behaviour of some leading members of the opposition'' when they tried to physically prevent Finance Minister P Chidambaram from replying and said unqualified apology or resolution was the only course open to restore normal functioning of the House.

He pointed out that at a meeting of the leaders of various parties in the Chairman's chamber it was agreed that the Finance Minister would reply to the Budget discussion and budget would be adopted amongst din.

''However, no sooner did the Finance Minister bagan his reply the Opposition members resorted to provocative slogans, which is becoming a very undesirable and unbecoming part of the House decorum in recent times. The most outrageous was the attempt of the BJP Chief Whip S S Ahluwalia in seeking to physically prevent the Finance Minister from replying. The ensuing melee in the House, I believe, is unprecedented,'' he reretted.

Pointing out that in the Lok Sabha a few days ago following the emotional outbursts of some left members, their leaders expressed unqualified regrets following which the House functioned smoothly, he said that the same procedure be adopted in the Rajya Sabha.

''At the outset, before the Question Hour the Leader of the Oppostion who is also the leader of the BJP in the House must tender unqualified regret for the behaviour of members belonging to BJP/NDA. Failing this, I think that in the fitness of the dignity of the House of elders a resolution of the House condemning such behaviour must be adopted,'' Mr Yechury asserted.

Significantly, this morning as soon as the House assembled, the Congress Members demanded an apology from BJP leader S S Ahluwalia over yesterday's incident. However, their interpretation of Mr Ahluwalia's behaviour was strongly contested by the BJP members and they countered it with vociferous protest following which the house was adjourned till 1200 hrs.

However, when the house reassembled at 1200hrs, the BJP members adopted an offensive approach and shouted slogans demanding action against CPI(M) Chief Minister Budhadeb Bhattacharya for police firing at farmers in Nandigram in West Bengal. This again led to pandemonium which forced the Chair to adjourn the House till 1400 hrs.

UNI