Mayawati stunned Rajya Sabha when she criticised Ansari, the Vice President of India, for his absence after Question Hour and flayed lack of order in the House which is not allowing passage of the Constitution (117th Amendment) Bill that provides for reservation for SCs/STs in government job promotions.
Government is in a bind with BSP pressing hard for the passage of the quota bill and the Samajwadi Party vehemently opposing it. Government needs the support of both to ensure passage of crucial bills.
The BSP supremo's outburst came on a day when both Houses were again unable to conduct any significant business due to disruptions.
Rajya Sabha could not function because of uproar over the quota Bill providing for reservation to SCs/STs in government job promotions while Lok Sabha was paralysed by BSP members by demanding details about coalblock allocations which have been shrouded by allegations of irregularities.
Mayawati's attack on Ansari in Rajya Sabha came at around 11:30 AM when Question Hour was in progress and Commerce and Textile Minister Anand Sharma was replying to queries.
She, along with her party colleagues, rushed into the Well and started venting her ire even before taking her seat.
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"We have seen in the last few days that every day the House is not allowed to function after 12 PM. You are Chairman of the House. It is your responsibility to ensure that it functions," she said addressing Ansari.
A visibly stunned Chairman tried to pacify her but she was unrelenting as she said, "I am not ready to listen to anything...Who will ensure that the House functions?"
She insisted that the House should run in order. "You are not seen here after 12 PM... What kind of House is this?" (MORE)