New Delhi, The Rajya Sabha witnessed a heated argument on Wednesday after AITC member Dola Sen addressed the matter of the Ministry of Home Affairs' November 25 decision to rename all Raj Bhavans in the country as Lok Bhavans during Zero Hour.
"But first of all, we would like to say that neither the Parliament, Assembly, nor the Cabinet is aware of this... They are not even discussing it with you, sir," Sen continued.
But when Sen brought up other topics, such as MGNREGA, the conversation became heated, and the Chair had to step in and declare that the deviant comments would not be recorded.
"You allowed her to speak during Zero Hour about the change of name from Raj Bhavan to Lok Bhavan," House Leader J P Nadda said in opposition to the deviation. She discussed MGNREGA and other topics. I want to be very clear that only matters pertaining to Lok Bhavan should be acknowledged, and that anything unrelated to the topic should be removed and not entered into the record."
Chairman C P Radhakrishnan concurred, adding that "anything deviated from the subject will not go record".
Sen was defended by Opposition Leader Mallikarjun Kharge, who said, "She has not spoken any unparliamentary word." Everything is related to the topic. She spoke after the subject was examined in your office.
Accusing the administration of limiting debate, Kharge stated, "The Leader of the House cannot interfere and say whatever is said is unparliamentary and erase it. The Leader is bulldozing. You don't want to run according to parliamentary democracy."
The Chair stated that proceedings were being conducted appropriately and advised members to stick to scheduled themes during Zero Hour.
Nadda defended his participation, adding, "I never bulldozed", and explained that he was merely urging that matters relating to the subject remain on record.