Lok Sabha today witnessed a spat between Trinamool members and a minister and some BJP members, provoking a reprimand from the Chair who asked them to focus on "serious" business rather than personal grievances.
Trouble started when Kalyan Banerjee (TMC) was speaking on the Repealing and Amendment (Second) Bill.
He was interrupted by MoS Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Pratap Rudy, who asked him to address the Chair while speaking.
An angered Banerjee said that since Cabinet Minister for Parliamentary Affairs (Venkaiah Naidu) was not present in the House, Ministers like Rudy were disrupting the functioning of the House.
A spat ensued, with BJP member S S Ahluwalia joining in.
Upset over this, Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai said, "we are seriously discussing the Amendment Bill. You may have grievance, but arguing like this is not good on part of both the members... I cannot let both of you to argue like this".
Thambidurai also expunged from records various unparliamentary remarks made by members.
"I am very sorry for what is going on in the House. It is not correct," he said.
As members continued with their arguments, an agitated Thambidurai said: "This is Parliament, not West Bengal Assembly. All of you please take your seats".
Rudy then took a dig at Banerjee, saying "this is the first time that he has the taste of his own pill because this is exactly what he has been doing in the House all through these days."
Explaining why he was telling Banerjee to address the chair and "correct" him, the Minister said Trinamool member "should learn through times how to perform in the House".
