New Delhi, March 10
The Mayawati videotape scandal today led to clashes between Samajwadi Party (SP) and BSP members in the Lok Sabha, forcing Speaker Manohar Joshi to abruptly adjourn the House for a lunch recess ahead of schedule.
It started when SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav’s son and party member, Akhilesh Singh accused BSP leader Mayawati of having encouraged corruption by asking her party MPs for giving a cut from their development funds and demanded a CBI probe into it. This was countered by BSP members, including Mr Ashok
Chandel, who made allegations against Mr Mulayam Singh.
Incensed by Mr Chandel’s slogans against his father, Mr Akhilesh Singh rolled up his sleeves and moved towards him along with other SP colleagues. Former Prime Minister Chandra
Sekhar, Congress Chief Whip P.R. Dasmunshi, Shiv Sena leader Chandrakant Khaire and some others intervened to prevent an ugly scene.
Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha also witnessed pandemonium and heated debate between Opposition and ruling members when Mr Kapil Sibal of the Congress tried to draw a parallel between the Tehelka expose and the Mayawati tape issue.
Initiating a discussion on the alleged misuse of the MPLAD scheme arising out of recent disclosures in the form of videotapes, Mr Sibal said Ms Mayawati had said Parliament should not be allowed to function unless strict action was taken against the Tehelka accused.
Ruling BJP members were immediately on their feet in protest against the reference to Tehelka with Mr S.S. Ahluwalia and Mr
B.P. Singhal shouting “Bofors, Bofors”. The Opposition said the reference to Tehelka tapes was relevant to the issue being discussed.
Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat frequently intervened and tried to bring Mr Sibal to the subject of discussion, asserting that he would not allow any deviation. The House was also adjourned during the course of the debate on the motion to bring order, but the din continued.
Amid noisy scenes, Leader of the Opposition Manmohan Singh said the ruling party members should object only if Mr Sibal says something
unparliamentary. When the uproar refused to subside, Mr Sibal said: “Let the BJP say it wants to protect
Mayawati. We are discussing corruption in Uttar Pradesh.”
Mr Sibal said there was no need to file an FIR against the statement made by Mayawati in the tape and action could be taken otherwise.
