New Delhi, May 6
The Rajya Sabha was today adjourned for 15 minutes during the Zero Hour following pandemonium over the attack on Union Minister Tapan Sikdar allegedly by CPM activists in West Bengal.

The House witnessed acrimonious scenes for almost 20 minutes over the issue as the BJP and Shiv Sena members demanded the imposition of President’s rule in West Bengal claiming that there had been a breakdown in the law and order machinery in the state.

As soon as the Question Hour was over vociferous members from the ruling BJP and the NDA ally Shiv Sena demanded imposition of President’s rule and declaration of West Bengal as a “terrorist state”.

Amidst shouts of “shame, shame”, BJP members led by Mr S.S. Ahluwalia were on their feet demanding an inquiry into the incident saying “democracy is being murdered” in the state and even a Union Minister was not being allowed to campaign in Panchayat polls.

Deploring the attack on Trinamool and BJP members in the state, Mr Sanjay Nirupam (Shiv Sena) said it was a fit case for imposition of President’s rule in West Bengal.

There were heated exchanges between BJP and Left party members.

As the uproar continued for over 20 minutes, Deputy Chairperson Najma Heptulla adjourned the House for 15 minutes.

KOLKATA: The Deputy Prime Minister, Mr L.K. Advani, virtually reprimanded the Bengal Chief Minister, Mr Buddhadev Bhattacharjee, for his failure in protecting the Central minister, Mr Tapan Sikdar, from an armed attack of the CPM workers.

Mr Advani today called up the Chief Minister and expressed resentment at the attack on the minister. The Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, also expressed unhappiness about the incident. He inquired about Mr Sikdar’s condition over phone.