Lok Sabha witnessed uproarious scenes today soon after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made a statement on the anti-corruption protests by Anna Hazare, with senior BJP leader L K Advani accusing the government of creating an "Emergency-like situation", leading to adjournment of the House.
"Yesterday's incident (detention of Hazare and his supporters) raises grave concern in our minds. We are reminded of what happened after Emergency was imposed in 1975," Advani said, leading to heated exchanges between the Treasury benches and the Opposition.
As the din continued, Parliamentary Affairs Minister P K Bansal said, "Hon'ble Mr Advani is misleading the House...."
The comment provoked BJP members to protest vociferously and demand an apology. They were countered by the treasury benches, prompting Speaker Meira Kumar to adjourn the House for 30 minutes till noon.
"Barring Emergency, we have never seen the Chair also being over-ruled as is being done now. Don't forget what happened during Emergency," Advani said. He was indicating that the Speaker had agreed to allow leaders of all parties to have their say on the issue.
Earlier, as soon as the Prime Minister completed his statement and left for Rajya Sabha to make a similar statement there, the Speaker asked Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj to speak.
But when Swaraj said a debate could be held only in the presence of the Prime Minister, Bansal said she was trying to "undermine the relevance of Parliament" by making such statements.
Opposition and ruling party members remained on their feet almost through this entire period, chanting slogans against each other.
