NDA back to playing ‘natural’ Opposition

After replying to the felicitations, Chatterjee formally introduced the Prime Minister, the Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition to members and then called upon the PM to introduce his Council of Ministers.

Before he could begin the introductions, L.K. Advani — who had sought the Speaker’s prior permission to make a ‘‘brief’’ statement — stood up to say that while the country was happy that the ‘‘spotless’’ Dr Manmohan Singh was made Prime Minister, there was considerable dismay about some of the ministers he had inducted. That was cue enough for the BJP MPs to stand up, walk down the aisle just short of the Well of the House, and begin sloganeering. Some RJD MPs, led by Ram Kripal Yadav, also shouted back but nothing could be heard in the din.

When the din subsided for a few moments, Advani resumed his speech and said while it was an established tradition that the PM had the prerogative to choose his ministers, it was an equally established practice that those ‘‘with criminal background’’ are not made ministers.

The BJP MPs, emboldened by the remarks of their leader, began shouting ‘‘dagi mantri, nahin chalegi’’ and ‘‘dagi mantri hatao, desh bachao’’, drowning all voices in the House.

The Speaker’s stentorian voice rang out more than once, stating that the ‘‘Prime Minister has the absolute right to choose his ministers’’ and requesting Advani to be ‘‘very brief’’. Advani once again said: ‘‘No PM has ever included such persons in his ministry.’’ That remark led to another furore, with even Left MPs protesting that Advani had no right to take the high moral ground when he himself was a chargesheeted minister.

The Congress MPs remained silent throughout. The Speaker then asked the PM to begin the introductions. But the BJP MPs continued their slogan shouting till the House was finally adjourned for the day.