Opposition brings Parliament to a standstill over 2G scam

A united opposition on Monday forced adjournment of the Question Hour in both Houses of Parliament, demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the alleged irregularities in the 2G spectrum allocation.

As soon as the House met, Bharatiya Janata Party members stormed the well, chanting . 'We want JPC'. They were joined by members of the Shiv Sena and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Left parties and Samajwadi Party members were also on their feet at their respective seats.

The Opposition onslaught was countered by members of the Treasury benches, who raised slogans 'We want Question Hour' and waving the List of Business for the day.

In the melee, Speaker Meira Kumar called for the Question Hour, asking Congress leader K C Venugopal (Congress) to put his query. Minister of State for Rural Development Pradeep Jain answered the question but hardly anything could be heard in the din.

As the Speaker went ahead with the Question Hour, the sloganeering from the Opposition grew shrill, prompting her to adjourn the proceedings till noon.

Similar scenes were witnessed in the Rajya Sabha where BJP and AIADMK members stalled proceedings, demanding a JPC to look into the alleged irregularities in the 2G spectrum allocation.

As soon as the House met for the day, BJP and AIADMK members stormed into the well and shouted slogans, demanding a JPC probe.

Chairman Hamid Ansari called for the first listed question of the day but the members were in no mood to listen to him.

The opposition slogan shouting was countered by ruling Congress benches, demanding resignation of Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa over alleged illegal mining in the state.

"This is not correct," Ansari said, asking members to go back to their places. But the members kept shouting "We want JPC" at the top of their voice.

"No slogan shouting in the House," Ansari said as he tried to restore order.

"Every rule is being violated by the honourable members," he said before adjourning the House till 12 noon.