T-Bill, Taniam death, chopper deal, communal violence bill rock RS, LS

New Delhi, Feb 5: Opposition parties and the ruling Congress locked horns in both the houses of the

today as the final session of the parliament began. The death of the Arunachal Pradesh student, the Telangana Bill, the multi-million chopper deal and the Prevention of Communal Violence Bill were all used by the Opposition to launch scathing attacks on the government in both the houses of the parliament.

The session, which began today, is the second phase of the Winter Session of Parliament. It is set to conclude on February 21.

In Rajya Sabha

The Defence Minister AK Antony read out a statement on the AgustaWestland chopper deal in the Rajya Sabha. But was interrupted by the MPs from Andhra Pradesh who started shouting out slogans over the Telangana Bill.

Communal violence bill was another issue which rocked the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

This House has no power to enact this bill, said Jaitley

Protests erupted in RS during a debate on the anti-communal violence Bill. Kapil Sibal had mentioned the Gujarat riots during the discussion, justifying the need for a strong Bill where the Centre's and the states' rights were clearly delineated.

"Who is the Centre to enact this Bill? This House has no power to enact this bill", reiterated Arun Jaitley, Leader of Opposition.

"TMC wants to register its strong view against Communal Violence Bill", said Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brian. CPM leader Sitaram Yechury also opposed the Communal Violence Bill.

Finally, at 2:50 pm, the house was adjourned.

In Lok Sabha

Telangana Bill, death of a student from Arunachal Pradesh in Delhi and anti-Sikh riots were some of the issues that rocked the lower House of Parliament.

MPs from Seemandhra region, cutting across parties, disrupted proceedings in Lok Sabha, shouting out slogans against the Telangana Bill. They carried placards saying 'Jai Samaikya Andhra Pradesh' (hail united Andhra Pradesh).

Some leaders mentioned the death of Nido Taniam, a student from North East in Delhi. Left Front MPs demanded action against the culprits and carried posters saying 'Stop racial discrimination against North Eastern people'.

Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj said it was the state government's responsibility to ensure the safety of North East people in the country. She slammed Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal for failing to ensure their protection. "They don't have proper schools and hospitals so they come to Delhi for a better life... but we have failed to ensure their safety," she said.

"Arunachal Pradesh is also a part of India... children of the Northeast are as Indian as anyone else... we must address this bias against people from the North East", she said.

This was echoed by Ninong Ering, Union Minister for Minority Affairs and an MP from Arunachal Pradesh, who appealed to politicians not to politicise the death of Nido Taniam.

At 12:30pm, amid uproar over Telangana, the house by adjourned by the Speaker Meira Kumar.

Oneindia News