26 AIADMK MPs Suspended From LS For Creating Ruckus Over Cauvery

AIADMK was protesting over the Cauvery issue, while the TDP was demanding special financial assistance for Amravati.

AIADMK MPs protest in Rajya Sabha on Cauvery issue.

(Photo: ANI)

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Wednesday, 2 January, suspended 26 AIADMK MPs for five sittings for trooping into the well while protesting against construction of a dam across the Cauvery river.

Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till noon following protests by members from the AIADMK and the TDP. Immediately after the House reconvened, protesting AIADMK members demonstrated again with placards. Members of the TDP joined them as they demanded special financial assistance for Amravati, the capital of Andhra Pradesh.

Despite Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan’s request, the members continued their protest and flung torn pieces of papers towards the table where Lok Sabha secretariat officials sit during proceedings.

A visibly peeved Mahajan sought names of the unruly members. As per rules, if the Speaker names a member over objectionable conduct, than the member has to leave the House immediately.

"Please go to your seat," Mahajan told the protesting members.

Amidst the ruckus, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad introduced the Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2018.

“Now that the elections are coming, BJP wants to score seats, and that explains why they gave approval to Karnataka for the Mekedatu Dam Project. Protesting is our democratic right, and we shall exercise it till we get some response from the government.”

AIADMK Leader M Thambidurai, as told to ANI

Venkaiah Naidu Ordered AIADMK, DMK Members to Leave Rajya Sabha

In the Rajya Sabha, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu was forced to order members of the AIADMK and the DMK to leave the House for the day when they continued to protest in the well over the Cauvery issue.

The Rajya Sabha had to be adjourned twice in the afternoon amid din over the issue and finally for the day, minutes after it reassembled at 3 pm.

The protests prompted Naidu to invoke Rule 255, which provides that the Chairman may direct any member whose conduct, in his opinion, is grossly disorderly to withdraw immediately from the council.

The Rule says that any member so ordered to withdraw shall do so forthwith and shall absent himself during the reminder of the day’s meeting.

As soon as the House resumed in the afternoon, the members of the AIADMK shouted slogans, "We want justice, take the permission (to build dam on Cauvery) back. Don't deny rights of Tamil Nadu".

One of the members even went on to say that the government of India has "shamed" Tamil Nadu.

Deputy Chairman Harivansh then asked the members concerned to leave the House but they continued to protest.

"I am left with no other other alternative than to adjourn the House for the day," the deputy chairman said.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)