Withdrawal of NSG cover to Maya rocks Parliament

The proposal to withdraw NSG security cover to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati rocked Parliament on Thursday, disrupting Question Hour and leading to adjournment of both the Houses.

As soon as Lok Sabha assembled, Bahujan Samaj Party members trooped into the well protesting the Home Ministry proposal and shouted slogans. They alleged that such moves were part of 'a conspiracy' to get the leaders killed.

Speaker Meira Kumar repeatedly tried to pacify them and then adjourned the House till 1130 hours.

In the Rajya Sabha, BSP leader Satish Chandra Mishra raised the issue vociferously, alleging that the President of a national party was "not secure".

He got support from an unexpected quarter with Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav also raising the issue and protesting the reported plan to withdraw security.

As the two leaders and their party members continued to attack the government, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Prithviraj Chavan said he had discussed the matter with Home Minister P Chidambaram who told him that no such proposal had come before him.

"The review is routine. It is being done for the last 15 years," Chavan said.

As the din continued, an upset Chairman Hamid Ansari said, "This is an extraordinary example of indiscipline in the House. The rights of members are being violated. I have no option but to adjourn." He then adjourned the House till noon.