For over 30 minutes, the post-lunch session of Lok Sabha was converted into a Zero Hour today as Shiv Sena members demanded a statement from Dy PM L.K. Advani on Ghatkopar bomb blast and shouted slogans seeking dismissal of Maharashtra government. When the House re-assembled at 2 pm, Shiv Sena MPs led by Chandrakant Khaire created a ruckus. Khaire alleged that terrorism had taken root in Maharashtra under Congress regime and wanted Congress-NCP government dismissed.Responding to the demand that Advani make a statement, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj rose to speak. Opposition members took umbrage, saying that ministers seldom responded with such alacrity when they raised similar issues. Congress leader Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi said: ‘‘She has to respond to all sides. This Parliament cannot function in a partisan manner.’’BJP leader V.K. Malhotra joined Shiv Sena and accused Congress of being insensitive to the situation in Mumbai. Congress MPs responded that if Maharashtra CM must resign because of Ghatkopar, then the Union Home Minister should resign on account of Akhnoor. ‘‘Let them ask for the resignation of Advani first,’’ they said.Congress deputy leader Shivraj Patil’s comment that Shiv Sena-sponsored Mumbai bandh had caused a law and order problem unleashed a wave of outrage in Sena ranks. They kept up a chant of ‘‘Maharashtra sarkar barkhast karo’’.
