New Delhi, March 2
In an embarrassment to the Congress, the RJD today joined Left parties, the SP and the BSP in the protest against the visit of US President George W. Bush to India amid demands for taking both Houses into confidence over pacts inked by the two countries.
Members of these parties demanded an apology from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for welcoming the US President and lodged their protest, saying receiving a person condemned by Parliament was an affront to the nation.
They sought to remind the government that Parliament had passed a censure motion against the US attack on Iraq and its continued occupation of the country and the Prime Minister had been a party to the motion against the Bush government when he was the Leader of the Opposition.
While the issue of the agreement reached between the Prime Minister and the US President did not figure in the Upper House, the matter
was raised by Left members in the Lok Sabha.Mr Raghunath Jha and Mr Ram Kripal Yadav of the RJD said in the Lok Sabha that Iran and Iraq were old friends of India and their party associated with the Left in protests against the visit.
Mr Rajiv Ranjan Singh ‘Lalan’ of the JD-U sought to embarrass allies and constituents of the UPA, saying they should withdraw support to the government if they were serious on the matter and accused them of shadow boxing.
BJP members M.A.K. Swain and Ratilal K. Verma criticised the Left and its allies for the manner of protest and said the USA was a friend of India.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister P.R. Dasmunsi said he would convey their concern to the Prime Minister, who would apprise them of what happened during the visit.
Rejecting charges that the government had compromised on sovereignty, he said the situation had changed and the government invited guests keeping in view national interests and keeping aside political and ideological views.
He said it was not for the first time that such an agreement had been arrived at when Parliament was in session.
He dismissed the Left charge that there was a tacit understanding between the Congress and the BJP over the visit.
The Lok Sabha was earlier adjourned till 2 pm minutes after it met in the morning as the SP and the Left protested against the visit.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till noon shortly after it met as Left and SP members demanded suspension of question hour to discuss withdrawal of US forces from Iraq.
As soon as the Upper House met, SP members demanded an apology from the Prime Minister for receiving Mr Bush at the airport.
Members of the AIADMK, the IUML and the TDP also protested. When the House reassembled, Left parties, the SP and the TDP did not participate in its proceedings.
MPs belonging to the Left and the SP earlier staged a sit-in in front of the main entrance of Parliament House.
