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Parliament adjourned over Babri arrests

In the Rajya Sabha, the trouble began soon after Question Hour, as a determined Congress and Left Front members demanded the immediate resignation of Union ministers L K Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharati, who have been chargesheeted by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the Babri Masjid demolition case.

Congress members led by Suresh Pachouri shouted slogans, displaying a photograph of Bharati atop a demolished structure of the Babri Masjid-Ram Janambhoomi.

They were countered by equally vociferous BJP members led by S S Ahulawalia, who raised counter-slogans which could not be heard in the din.

The Congress members were joined by the Left Front, AIADMK, Tamil Maanila Congress and other Opposition members, while DMK member Viduthalai Virumbi came to the rescue of ruling party members.

As the slogan shouting continued for over 10 minutes, Chairman Krishan Kant adjourned the House for the day after repeated pleas for order went unheeded. "There should be some order in the House. I am unable to hear anything that the members are saying," he said before adjourning the House.

In the Lok Sabha too the Congress demanded the resignation of Advani, Joshi and Bharati.

As soon as Question Hour ended, agitated Congress members rushed to the well of the House for the second day, seeking their immediate resignations.

They were joined by Samajwadi Party members who, however, accused the Congress and BJP of colluding with each other on the issue.

Despite repeated pleas by Speaker G M C Balayogi to return to their seats, the Congress members kept shouting, "We want resignation."

In the midst of the uproar, papers relating to various ministries were laid on the table.

Finding the members in an unrelenting mood, Balayogi adjourned the House without transacting any legislative business.

Soon after Congress and SP members trooped into the well of the House, ruling National Democratic Alliance members were on their feet protesting against the behaviour of the Opposition.

Samajwadi Party members repeatedly tried to disrupt Question Hour, saying that the issue must be discussed in the House immediately.

Balayogi pulled up Akhilesh Singh for disturbing Question Hour and warned him that action would be taken against him.

Singh alleged that the Congress and BJP were in league with each other and there were plans to erect a temporary 'mandir' at the disputed site of Ayodhya.

SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav also pleaded with the chair that the matter needed immediate discussion.

Balayogi said that they could take up the matter during zero hour and asked them to allow the day's listed business.

The Speaker's several warning to SP members went unheeded and noisy scenes continued for well over 15 minutes.

As soon as Question Hour ended, members from the Congress and Samajwadi Party rushed to the well, leading to pandemonium.

Agencies

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