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Even as the government and the opposition are locking horns in the monsoon session, lawmakers of rival sides came together for a common cause---for having a smokers room in Parliament.
A group of MPs, both from the ruling party and the opposition, today met Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan requesting for a 'smoking room' after the space adjacent to the Central Hall was converted for other use.
A stenographers pool is now using the room, till now being used by the members to enjoy a smoke.
"Please do not give the news or else anti-smoking activists would throw a spanner in getting an alternate accommodation," a BJP MP remarked.
A Congress MP, who was also a part of the delegation that met the Speaker, suggested that the place was not apt for stenographers.
The Speaker was asked the question on the issue by reporters during a meeting of the press advisory committee.
Mahajan said in half-jest that they should give-up smoking. She, however, immediately added that she had to look after everyone's demands.
An informal arrangement of having a smokers room was made after Central Hall and lobbies in Parliament House were declared a "no smoking" zone in 2004 by the then Speaker, Somnath Chatterjee.
