Uproar in Parliament over Karti Chidambaram's role in Aircel-Maxis case, BJP says ready for discussion

Heavy sloganeering by AIADMK members seeking action against P Chidambaram's son Karti on Aircel-Maxis issue and by Congress MPs over alleged Gujarat land scam led to two adjournments in Rajya Sabha, even as the government said it was ready to discuss the matter raised by AIADMK.

No sooner did the House meet for the day, AIADMK members, carrying copies of an English daily, trooped into the Well demanding action on Aircel-Maxis deal and raising slogans like "We want action".

At the same time, Congress members too were seen waving copies of another English daily and shouting slogans over an alleged scam related to land allocation in Gujarat in 2010 to partners of the Chief Minister's daughter. Yesterday, the proceedings of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were virtually washed out due to the uproar by AIADMK.

Amid loud slogans by both AIADMK and Congress members, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said if AIADMK members gave a notice for discussion, the government was ready to take up the issue relating to action against the former Union Minister and his son. "We are ready for discussion on the issue of Chidambaram's known and un-known assets. The Minister will also give reply. Our opinion is that action should be taken on those found guilty," he said, adding that members of AIADMK and probably some from Congress want a discussion, leading to further protests by Congress MPs.

Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien made futile attempts to pacify the agitating AIADMK members and adjourned the House first for ten minutes.  

When the House met again, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad raised the issue of alleged land scam in Gujarat saying the land was allotted in an eco-sensitive zone in 2010.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister then. Azad alleged that the issue being raised by AIADMK members was "government sponsored".

Some BJP members also raised slogans on some issue from the aisle which could not be heard. As Congress members raised slogans from their seats and the aisles and some were heard seeking a CBI probe in the issue, Kurien said Congress should give a notice to raise the matter in the House. "I am not able to understand why you (Congress members) are shouting. So many things will appear in newspapers. ... The House can take up only notices... House cannot take cognisance of newspapers," he said and adjourned the House till noon.

During the first adjournment of ten minutes, heated exchanges were seen between some AIADMK and Congress members including V Maitreyan (AIADMK) and Jesudasu Seelam (Congress). The reason for the altercation could not be known. Later however the tension between the two sides eased and they were seen exchanging pleasantries. 

AIADMK members created ruckus in Lok Sabha for the second day on Wednesday demanding action against former Union Minister P Chidambaram's son Karti on the Aircel-Maxis issue as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan allowed them to raise the matter later in the day. As soon as the House met, AIADMK MPs trooped into the Well shouting slogans and demanded action from the government.

Amid the din, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said the government has no problem in discussing the matter in any manner and also take necessary action. When Mahajan said she was ready to allow discussion on the issue after Question Hour, the protesting AIADMK members returned to their seats satisfied by the Speaker's assurance. 

AIADMK members were earlier raising slogans like 'NDA sarkar take action' and displaying copies of a newspaper which has claimed that Karti has invested in real estate in various countries, as per investigations by Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax authorities during searches at his premises. Protesting against the Speaker's decision to allow discussion on the matter, Congress members rushed into the Well. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge wondered how can it be allowed.

The Congress members were heard shouting 'we want privilege motion'. Congress and other party members have given notices for privilege motion against HRD Minister Smriti Irani for allegedly misleading the House.
In response, Mahajan said, "I want to make it clear that there is a procedure (related to privilege motion notice)". Left members were also seen vociferously demanding something which could not be heard amid the din.