Cong MPs stop Jaswant speech

Though Question Hour passed off without much turmoil, the Rajya Sabha today saw agitated exchanges between the Treasury and Opposition benches during Zero Hour leading to its adjournment. Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat had allowed Leader of the Opposition Jaswant Singh to speak on Nandigram, but Congress MPs didn8217;t allow him to speak demanding that the House discuss the fake encounter killings in Gujarat.

This instigated loud protests from the Opposition benches and some BJP MPs rushed into the well of the House. An annoyed Shekhawat admonished Congress members for not allowing the Leader of the Opposition to speak.

8220;What message are you giving by not allowing Jaswant Singh to speak. This is not done8230;This will set a wrong precedent,8221; he said.

Though Shekhawat assured members that both Gujarat and Nandigram would be discussed today itself, BJP MPs protested afresh, arguing that there need not be any discussion on Gujarat. The House was then adjourned for 45 minutes. With the scenes no different when the House met again at 1 pm, another adjournment was announced till 2 pm.