SP members walk out of RS during Question Hour

New Delhi, Apr 16 (UNI) Samajwadi Party members today walked out of the Rajya Sabha during Question Hour in protest against the Chair's refusal of permission to Ms Jaya Bachchan to speak on the recent controversy regarding film actor Amitabh Bachchan's contribution to Maharashtra raised by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

The House which was discussing the issue of migrants from other states in Maharashtra and the problems faced by them, also witnessed some heated argument between Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Shiv Sena member Manohar Joshi.

Mr Joshi asked the Home Minister, who is from Maharashtra, that whether he was proud of being a Maharashtrian.

The Home Minister retorted by saying that he was proud of being an Indian and Maharashtra is in India.

The Home Minister said it would be a shame even if one person migrated from Maharashtra following violence against non-Maharashtrians.

After Chairman Hamid Ansari called for other member to ask a question, Ms Jaya Bachchan said she too wanted to speak on the issue.

Mr Ansari disallowed saying a member of her Party had already spoken. Ms Jaya Bachchan countered by saying that she was a member of the House and she had every right to speak.

However, the Chairman called out other member's name following which all the SP members, led by Ms Bachchan, walked out.

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