Left shuts BJP out in Rajya Sabha
Express News Service, The Indian Express
March 12, 2008
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/283227.html

CPI(M) MEMBERS disrupted proceedings in the Rajya Sabha during zero hour, demanding that the BJP should not be allowed to explain its position on violence against CPI(M) offices in different parts of the country on Monday.

During the zero hour, CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat raised the issue of violence on CPI(M) offices, which followed the nationwide protests organised by the RSS-BJP on Monday. Karat, aided and abetted by Congress, SP and TDP, mounted a spirited attack on the Sangh Parivar for “instigating and organising the attacks”. “This is the kind of politics of violence and intolerance they (BJP leaders) are practising,” she said, referring to attacks in Hyderabad, Kanyakumari and Dehradun.

She said the BJP-RSS workers damaged a memorial of P Sundaraiah, one of the greatest freedom fighters and former general secretary of CPI(M) in Hyderabad, and demanded a statement from the Home Minister. “These cowards sitting in Delhi are instigating violence across the country,” she added.

As Karat flared up against the Parivar, BJP members rose in protest. Prof PJ Kurian, in the chair, asked the BJP seniors to calm down the shouters and promised them that the BJP would get a chance to explain its position. BJP benches calmed down following a plea from N Venkaia Naidu.

But all hell broke loose as Kurian called Naidu to speak. Karat and other CPI(M) members screamed that Naidu couldn’t speak as he had given no notice. The chair ruled that since Karat had charged the BJP with organising the violence, the rules permitted them an opportunity to explain. But the CPI(M) members would not agree and got into a heated argument with the chair.

Meanwhile, Naidu continued with his reply and accused the CPI(M) of terror tactics in Kerala and West Bengal. He said both in Kannur and Nandigram, CPI(M) had displayed the same terror.

“We are among the victims. Our workers, and even workers of the Congress are being hounded and killed in Kannur. Even the Kerala unit of the Congress is demanding deployment of central forces in Kerala,” Naidu said amidst loud screams from the CPI(M) members. The House was then adjourned for five minutes to calm down and then moved on to other issues.