Rajya Sabha briefly adjourned

New Delhi, May 2: The Rajya Sabha was disrupted Monday after the Congress raised the issue of alleged miismanagement in the Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) and the BJP termed this an attempt to divert attention from the AgustaWestland issue, leading to a brief adjournment.

Congress members raised the issue as soon as the house met. Deputy Chairman P.J.Kurien said the notice given by Congress on the issue was under consideration of the Chairman, M. Hamid Ansari.

Trinamool Congress member Sukhendu Shekhar Roy however raised the AgustaWestland issue and questioned who the bribe taker was.

"Defence minister needs to give a statement on who took bribe in AgustaWestland deal," Roy questioned and urged defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who was present in the house, to speak on the issue.

Congress members however trooped near the chairman's podium and started shouting slogans demanding a debate on the GSPC.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the issue could not be discussed in the upper house as it was a state issue.

"PAC (public accounts committee) is examining the (CAG) report (on GSPC). We cannot discuss the PAC of the assembly here, that is the rule and tradition," he said.

"This is a diversionary tactic, to take away attention from AgustaWestland and create ruckus through such non issue," said the minister.

Kurien also asked the Congress members to go back to their seats as the notice given by them is under consideration of the chairman.

"The notice under consideration of the chairman. After that, coming to the well and shouting is not acceptable. What are you going to achieve? I don't agree with this," Kurien said before adjourning the house till 11.30 p.m.

IANS