Mulayam says dismayed at Lok Sabha functioning; Speaker rejects charge
Sumitra Mahajan told Yadav that she had never disallowed him from speaking.
New Delhi: Continued protests over the demand for special category status for Andhra Pradesh on Monday saw Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav expressing dismay over the way Lok Sabha was being conducted, a charge which was staunchly rejected by Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.
"...I have seen many a Speaker. Why are you not holding consultations with leaders of political parties" to sort out such issues, a visibly annoyed Yadav remarked during Zero Hour, springing a surprise on the treasury benches and a shock for the Speaker.
The Speaker immediately retorted, "Please don't speak like this. I am following rules which have been laid down by the House itself", adding that she has been holding consultations with the leaders of all political parties.
Mahajan told Yadav that she had never disallowed him from speaking.
She observed that the Finance Minister had spoken twice on the Andhra issue and it was not feasible that there is a solution to every issue.
Yadav was seen suggesting that when attempts to find a solution did not succeed, it should be ensured that at least the House runs smoothly. At times, he also referred to Home Minister Rajnath Singh in the matter, who was present in the House.
Mohammad Salim (CPI-M) took the opportunity to flag the issue of atrocities on dalits. "I am making efforts (to take everyone along) and the Business Advisory Committee meetings decide what issues are to be taken up," Mahajan said.
Yadav made the remark when the Congress members were not in the House after staging a walkout for not being allowed to raise the issue of atrocities on Dalits.