MP confess pepper spray used for self-defence

Suspended Congress lawmaker L. Rajagopal who used pepper spray inside the Lok Sabha Thursday said he took the step in "self-defence".

"I used pepper spray in self-defence. I rushed to the well only when a Seemandhra MP was attacked," Rajagopal told reporters.

Lagadapati Rajagopal, the Lok Sabha member from Vijaywada, released the pepper spray towards fellow members after Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde tabled the Telangana bill at noon.

Rajagopal was quickly overpowered by fellow MPs and marshals.

The strong, pungent odour triggered coughing among the parliamentarians who rushed out of the house. Doctors were called and three MPs were taken to hospital.

Rajagopal was among six MPs from Seemandhra who were expelled from the Congress Tuesday.