Houses adjourned over PM's remarks

NEW DELHI: Both Houses of Parliament on Monday witnessed pandemonium over Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's remarks that Muslims would have the first claim on country's resources with Opposition BJP-Shiv Sena demanding an apology from the Premier.

The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned twice in the pre-lunch session.

It was trouble from the word go in both Houses although in Lok Sabha TRS Supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao could take oath and Speaker Somnath Chatterjee greeted a Parliamentary delegation from Namibia.

As the Houses met for the day, Opposition members were on their feet protesting Prime Minister's statement made at the Inter-State Council meeting on Saturday.

In the Lok Sabha, Deputy Leader of the Opposition V K Malhotra demanded suspension of the Question Hour to discuss the issue.

"I have the right to seek suspension of the Question Hour," Malhotra said as other BJP members demanded an apology from the Prime Minister and waved copies of his speech.

Malhotra was unrelenting when the Speaker said he could raise the matter after the Question Hour.

The uproar continued for about seven minutes after which the Speaker adjourned the House till 11:30 am.

When the House met again, similar scenes prevailed and the Speaker ajourned it till noon.