NDA, AIADMK members stage walkout in LS over Baalu issue

New Delhi, Apr 28 (UNI) The BJP-led NDA, AIADMK and MDMK members today staged a walkout in the Lok Sabha in protest against the refusal of the Chair to allow them to raise the allegation against Shipping Minister T R Baalu that he had misused his official position to benefit two companies associated with his family.

As soon as the zero hour began, BJP Deputy Leader V K Malhotra was on his feet seeking permission of the chair to raise the issue through an adjournment motion.

Speaker Somnath Chatterjee expressed his inability to allow any discussion on the issue, without receiving a proper notice.

''I will certainly consider any motion according to the rules,'' Mr Chatterjee said, and asked the members to give a proper notice so that he could give his views tomorow.

When the Chair refused to grant permission to raise the issue, Mr Malhotra led his party colleagues out of the House. The members belonging to other NDA parties and those from the AIADMK and MDMK joined the walkout.

Earlier, Mr Malhotra said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should answer the concerns of the members over the alleged favour done by Mr Baalu to the companies associated with his family.

Mr Prabhunath Singh (JD-U) also wanted the Speaker to allow the Baalu issue to be discussed in the Lok Sabha.

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