New Delhi: The introduction of the Telangana Bill itself has run into a controversy with several parties, including BJP, on Thursday telling Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar that they do not accept that the legislation has been introduced.
"The government has claimed that the Bill has been introduced, but we do not accept," Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj told reporters after she led a delegation of six parties to the Speaker to lodge their protest in the matter.
"I was sitting in the House even after the (pepper) spray incident and wanted to stay inside till I was advised by marshals to leave as it could cause harm to my health," she said, noting that she did not know when the Bill was introduced even though she was inside Lok Sabha.
Other parties whose leaders accompanied Swaraj were SP, BJD, CPI and Trinamool Congress, saying they do not accept the introduction of Telangana bill.
Y.S.R Congress chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy was the first to raise questions over the introduction of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill.
He said it was a 'mockery' to say that the bill has been introduced as the whole thing was over in ten seconds and there were no 'ayes' and 'noes'. Reddy, whose party is staunchly opposed to the division of Andhra Pradesh, said his party will move court in the matter.
But TRS chief K. Chandrashekhar Rao insisted that the bill has been introduced and rules followed.
Next: BJP blames Congress for fracas in House
BJP blames Congress for fracas in House
New Delhi: BJP on Thursday blamed the Congress for the 'disgraceful' pepper spraying incident in Lok Sabha, saying it was a 'drama' enacted by the ruling party and vowed not to engage with the government on any issue again.
The main opposition party rejected government's contention that the controversial Telangana Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha, saying Parliamentary procedures were not followed.
Terming the incident as 'disgraceful' and 'sad' for Parliament, senior BJP leader L.K. Advani attacked the government, saying it was hell-bent on getting the Bill passed anyhow even if it means suspension or expulsion of members.
"Whatever has happened in Parliament is not just unfortunate but also shameful...For this, the Congress party is solely responsible. It is a drama enacted by the Congress.
"...We had not imagined that they will introduce the bill in such a way...We have decided we will not talk to government on anything at all," she said.
"Whatever happened, it has crossed all limits...It now seems that all that has happened is part of the design because Congress wanted to create pandemonium and commotion so that all members leave the Lok Sabha and then they could do a make-believe introduction of the Telangana Bill," Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said.
She also contested government claims that the Bill was introduced in the House amid pandemonium, saying there was no supplementary agenda given to her or listed in the business of the House.
"I was sitting in the House even after the spray incident and wanted to stay inside till I was advised by marshals to leave as it could cause harm to my health. As long as I was inside the House, not even an 'I' of the Bill was read. I don't know when was the bill introduced," she said.
Claiming that as per Parliamentary traditions the papers are laid on the table of the House and then only legislative business is taken up, Swaraj said no such thing was done today.
"The decency and decorum of Parliament and its traditions have been broken today," she said.
Advani said government looks hell-bent on getting the Telangana Bill passed by resorting to suspensions and removing people.
"This is no way of getting the Bill passed...Government wants to pass the Bill anyhow...be it in din or by expelling or suspending members. "In such chaotic conditions, Government should do nothing except for bringing a Vote-on-Account," he said.
