Telangana issue disrupts Parliament proceedings

The demand for a separate Telangana state disrupted Parliament proceedings on Thursday, with the Lok Sabha failing to transact any business.

The Lok Sabha was adjourned six times before being adjourned for the day.

The Rajya Sabha failed to take up Question Hour as the House was adjourned twice over the issue till Zero Hour.

As soon as the Lok Sabha met for the day, TRS members K Chandrashekar Rao and M Vijayashanti trooped into the well of the house in support of their demand. They were supported by BJP members.

A section of Congress members too were seen in the aisle raising slogans for the formation of a separate Telangana state.

With the TRS members remaining adamant and squatting repeatedly in the well, the Lok Sabha witnessed repeated disruptions and adjournments.

The Rajya Sabha also witnessed similar scenes.

When the House met, the BJP members, including M. Venkaiah Naidu were on their feet seeking to know from the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, who was present in the House, the status of creation of a separate Telangana state.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Mohammad Hamid Ansari asked members to raise the issue during Zero Hour, but this did not satisfy BJP members who trooped into the well of the House, forcing an adjournments.

Several Telangana-related protests and shutdowns have brought Andhra Pradesh to a standstill.

The Central Government has appointed a judicial commission headed by former Supreme Court Justice Srikrishna to look into issue.

The report, submitted to Chidambaram in December last year, has suggested at least six options, including maintaining the status quo in the state or bifurcating the state.

Dave Lindahl