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Quota bill faces opposition from BJP, SP in Lok Sabha

Last updated on: December 20, 2012 14:00 IST

The controversial bill for quota in government job promotions on Thursday faced obstacle in Lok Sabha with the Bharatiya Janata Party and Samajwadi Party opposing its consideration for different reasons.

The House witnessed high-drama during which it was adjourned four times soon after the Constitution (117th Amendment) Bill, 2012 was moved for consideration by Personnel Minister V Narayanasamy at noon.

Members of the SP, which is opposed to quota in promotions, created pandemonium by shouting full-throated slogans and rushing to the Well, even as Congress member P L Punia rose to speak in support on the Bill.

In the midst of the din, senior BJP leader L K Advani was on his feet seeking to speak on the subject, but was not allowed as Punia kept on speaking. This angered BJP members who termed it as an insult to the main opposition.

After two brief adjournments, when the House reassembled at 1.15 pm, the BJP members also rushed into the Well raising slogans 'Pratipaksh ka aisa apmaan, nahi chalega' (insult of the opposition will not be tolerated)'.

Amid the pandemonium, Congress members came into the aisle shouting slogans in support of the bill.

Incidentally, Narayanasamy did not read from a copy of the bill on Thursday and spoke extempore. The bill was snatched from him by SP member Yashvir Singh on Wednesday when he was introducing it.

The BJP, which had supported the legislation in the Rajya Sabha, apparently wanted time to consider it arguing that it was not the original one as amendments had been made in it.

During the adjournment period, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath and Science and Technology Minister S Jaipal Reddy were seen talking to Advani and Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj.Both ministers then briefed Congress President Sonia Gandhi on their discussion with the BJP leaders.

On the other hand, Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal and Congress leader Girja Vyas were seen talking to SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav who appeared unrelenting on his opposition to the bill. Vyas and Sibal too were seen speaking to Gandhi.

BJP members were also requesting Yadav to control his members so that Advani could speak. As the appeals fell on deaf ears, Ananth Kumar of the BJP was heard warning Yadav that he would also not be allowed to speak next time.

Amid persistent uproar, the Speaker adjourned the House till 2 pm. When the House reassembled, similar scenes were witnessed and Deputy Speaker Karia Munda adjourned the House for another 30 minutes.

Similar scenes were witnessed when the House re-assembled at 2.30 pm.

Amid pandemonium created by SP and BJP members in the Well, Thol Thirumavalavan (VCK) protested shouting "Down down anti-Dalit".

As noisy scenes continued, the Chair adjourned the House till 4 pm.

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati and her party MPs from the Rajya Sabha were present in the gallery to watch the proceedings.

During the adjournment, Kamal Nath was again seen reaching out to Swaraj, Advani and Mulayam. Social Justice Minister Kumari Selja was also seen talking to Yadav.

Some MPs from the Congress and the BSP and ministers including Kapil Sibal were seen talking to Sonia Gandhi during the adjournment.