Pro-Telagana Cong MPs display placards in Central Hall

A BSP member tried to raise the issue of the condition of Muslims in the country as President Pratibha Patil referred to the steps taken by her government for development of minority communities.

A BSP member on Monday tried to raise the issue of the condition of Muslims in the country as President Pratibha Patil referred to the steps taken by her government for development of minority communities.

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Shafiq-ur Rahman Barq, representing Sambhal in Uttar Pradesh, stood up and tried to draw the attention of the President to the condition of Muslims in some parts of the country when she was addressing the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament on the opening day of the Budget session.

Patil paused for a while as Barq made his brief remark and took his seat.

Congress members demanding separate Telangana state made their case in a silent manner by showing placards when the President made her way out of the Central Hall after completing her 50-minute address.

A small group of members, including Congress MP Madhu Yaski Goud, stood up and displayed placards, which read 'Jai Telangana, Jai Congress'.

Amar Singh's ouster from the Samajwadi Party saw him virtually on the fringes of the Central Hall while party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav was seen seated in the second row behind Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Amar Singh, who had arrived late, was seen seated in one of the additional chairs placed below the portraits of senior national leaders.