Pressure on PM over Baalu issue

BJP and AIADMK force two adjournments in Rajya Sabha demanding PM's response to letters purportedly written by the PMO.

Opposition BJP and AIADMK forced two adjournments in Rajya Sabha on Friday demanding Prime Minister's response to letters purportedly written by the PMO, asking the Petroleum Ministry to expedite release of gas to the companies owned by Shipping Minister TR Baalu's family.

HT Image

The trouble began immediately after the Question Hour as senior BJP member Ravi Shanker Prasad was on his feet seeking to raise the issue.

Joined by his party collegues and AIADMK members, including V Maitreyan, who was asked to leave the House yesterday, Prasad waved copies of letters which he said were written by the PMO to the Petroleum ministry.

When Vice Chairman PJ Kurien disallowed the BJP member from the raising the issue as Home Minister Shivraj Patil was to make a statement on Jammu and Kashmir, Prasad insisted that "this is a very serious matter. This is the ost important issue."

As the commotion continued, the Chair adjourned the House for 15 minutes.

When the House reassembled at 12:30 pm, similar scenes were witnessed as the vociferous opposition persisted with its demand.

"We want the Prime Minister to come to the House," Maitreyan said.

Prasad said he had got the copies of the letter and was ready to place them on the table of the House.

As the uproar prolonged, the Chair adjourned the House till 2:00 pm.