RS members demand recall of Indian ambassador to US

New Delhi, Aug 21 (UNI) The Rajya Sabha was adjourned for a second time till 1400 hrs today as furious members demanded the recall of Indian ambassador to the United States Ronen Sen over his reported remarks about the opponents of the nuclear deal.

The uproar was created by a united opposition and the Left parties over Mr Sen's statement, carried by an English daily, that all those opposing the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal were ''headless chickens''.

Leader of the Opposition Jaswant Singh said the ambassadors and foreign secretaries serve the republic and should not generally brief political parties. He said this ''unhappy tendency'' was being encouraged by the government.

CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said the government could not pass judgement on the nuclear pact when Parliament was yet to discuss it.

BJP leader Yashwant Singh said Mr Sen and the Rediff correspondent who reported the Ambassador's remarks should be summoned to the house which should serve as a privilege committee.

The uproar led Chairman Hamid Ansari to adjourn the question hour soon after the house gathered for the day. The members said the ambassador had no right to insult the country's parliamentarians.

BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj and Murli Manohar Joshi demanded Mr Sen's recall while the left members said the matter should be immediately discussed in the house. Several members rushed into the well, protesting loudly over the issue.

When the house re-assembled in the zero hour, irate members continued their protests, forcing the chair to again adjourn the proceedings till 1400 hrs.

UNI