A Constitutional amendment bill providing for demarcation of the boundary with Bangladesh was introduced in the Rajya Sabha today amid high drama as members of Trinamool Congress and Asom Gana Parishad tried to thwart it.
The House saw repeated adjournments as members created a ruckus after Deputy Chairman P J Kurien tried to take leave of the House for the introduction of the bill.
After a discussion on WTO ended, Kurien attempted to take leave of the House to introduce the bill which was mentioned in the supplementary business list.
However, members of Trinamool Congress led by Derek O'Brien and AGP member Birendra Prasad Baishya immediately rushed to the Well in protest. Baishya carried a placard claiming that the AGP would not compromise on the issue.
The protesting members reached the area where External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid was present and Baishya was seen moving towards him apparently to snatch the bill. Amidst chaos, Kurien adjourned the House for 10 minutes.
When the House reassembled, the din continued
However the bill was introduced, triggering more shouting by agitated members.
The House was again adjourned, this time for 30 minutes.
With members continuing to express opposition over the issue, the House was adjourned sine die.
Earlier also some members had raised objections as the government circulated the supplementary list of business which mentioned the bill. However, Kurien managed to pacify the members and discussion on the Bali WTO package continued.
