NEW DELHI, Dec 17:

The SC/ST promotion quota issue today rocked the Lok Sabha with both opponents and supporters—SP and BSP—of the move entering the well shouting slogans in support of their  demands.

The proceedings were adjourned for the third time, this time till 1400 hrs.

The confusion aggravated when the Scheduled Caste members of the ruling Congress jumped into the arena demanding that opponents of the quota be thrown out.

The Bill seeking reservation for SC/STs in promotions had been moved in the Rajya Sabha on December 13 amidst vociferous protests by the SP, which disrupted the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha over the issue earlier in the day.

The AIADMK members also rose up but they registered their demand relating to state-owned cable services in Tamil Nadu peacefully, only displaying some placards.

Soon after the House re-assembled at noon after second adjournment, Francisco Sardinha, who was in the Chair, asked the papers to be laid down.

But soon the SP members left their seats and came into the well shouting slogans, “Padonnati mein arakshan nahin chalega” (No reservation in promotion will be allowed).

The BSP members also followed the suit raising slogan “We want  reservation.”

In the prevailing din, the Chair asked the Zero Hour issues to be taken up, following which Yashwant Sinha of the BJP was heard raising the issue of Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik’s visit to the country that concluded yesterday.

One more member also spoke but his words were not audible.

Some BJP members were also seen raising the issue of alleged ministerial links with killed liquor baron Ponty Chadha by holding up the copies a newspaper carrying a related report.

Earlier, Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde made a statement on  Mr Malik’s visit.

Reports of the Standing Committees on the Ministries of Coal and Steel, Chemicals and Fertilisers, and Personnel, Public Grievances and Law and Justice besides the mid-year economic analysis were  laid amid the prevailing din.

Mr Sardinha kept on appealing to the members to take their seats and stop shouting, telling them repeatedly that nothing would go on  records.

However, all his requests went unheeded and he finally decided  to suspend the proceedings till 1400 hrs. (agencies)

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