Giving in to opposition parties' protests on withdrawal of National Security Guard cover, the government on Thursday announced that the security cover provided to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Murli Manohar Joshi, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad will not be reduced.
Earlier in the day, Bahujan Samaj Party members trooped into the well of the Lok Sabha 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 1400 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."
When the House reassembled, Minister of State of Parliamentary Affairs Prithviraj Chavan assured the members that security cover of leaders mentioned in their notice would not be reduced.
To this BSP members wanted to know the names of the leaders. As the din continued, the House was adjourned for 15 minutes.
When it met again, Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan informed that there would be no reduction in the security provided to Mayawati, BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and RJD president Lalu Prasad. The House then took up the listed business.
