Congress members stage dharna in Lok Sabha

New Delhi, May 10: Adopting a novel way of protest, Congress members today staged a 'dharna' in the Lok Sabha after the party was disallowed from raising the issue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attack on Sonia Gandhi, regarding which a notice for privilege motion has been given by it.

The Congress members, including party's Leader in the House Mallikarjun Kharge, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Ravneet Singh and Ranjeet Ranjan, sat in the Well of the House to register their protest while the House took up a discussion on drought, drinking water and inter-linking of rivers.

Kharge raised the issue, over which the party had been trying to speak since morning, soon after the House met after the lunch break. "We have given the notice...some ruling should come. Since morning we are agitating but the Chair has not given time. This is an important matter. You have taken our President's name publicly.

The Prime Minister should not say this outside the House. Whatever he want to say, say in the House and not outside," he said.

He said his party did not want to disturb the House but the Chair should allow them to read the notice and it would be for the Chair whether to accept it or reject it. He said Congress members will sit on dharna peacefully and the Chair can start the discussion on drought, drinking water and inter-linking of rivers.

Citing a rule, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Pratap Rudy said it is the Chair who would decide whether it is a Privilege Motion or not.

Veerappa Moily has given notice for Breach of Privilege against the Prime Minister, alleging that a "lie" had been spoken outside the House about UPA leaders taking money in the chopper deal.

PTI