Uproar in Rajya Sabha over Minister's alleged links with ULFA

Uproarious scenes were witnessed in the Rajya Sabha during Zero Hour when AGP members were not allowed to raise an issue of a Central minister allegedly having links with ULFA.

Kumar Deepak Das (AGP) said he had given a notice to the Chairman for raising the issue during Zero Hour.

As Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan called for Derek O'Brien (Trinamool Congress) to raise his issue, Das protested.     He was supported by his party leader Birendra Prasad Baishya and BJP members led by S S Ahluwalia leading to noisy scenes.

AGP and BJP members wanted to know why the notice given by Das was rejected.

Khan said the Chairman had rejected the notice since it was not supported by documents.

"It is a matter of national security... a minister is involved in terrorist activity... Constitution of India says a person who is involved in such activity cannot hold (office)....," said Ahluwalia.

As the Deputy Chairman kept pacifying the members saying "it is an allegation, it has to be examined, the matter was under examination," Ahluwalia was joined by his party colleague Venkaiah Naidu.

Peace was restored in the House after Khan promised to allow the issue tomorrow.