Jaya Bachchan, a Samajwadi Party member, said she wanted Rajya Sabha to discuss women's welfare.
Highlights
- 'Not fair that other parties not heard,' she told Speaker
- Jaya Bachchan said her requests to discuss women's welfare ignored
- Opposition, in majority in Rajya Sabha, has caused frequent disruptions
Actor-turned politician Jaya Bachchan today demanded the attention of the chair in the Rajya Sabha, threatening to wear a purple jacket to get noticed.
Ms Bachchan's outburst came as Deputy Chairman VJ Kurien was attempting to calm the house amid heated sparring between the ruling BJP and the Opposition over a bill on the Budget for Uttarakhand, which is under President's Rule.
An irate Ms Bachchan stood up and said, "Sir, you are busy talking to Sitaram Yechury, please listen to me too," and then, "It is not fair to other parties. Just because they don't scream, they don't shout and they don't disturb the house."
Jaya Bachchan, who is a Samajwadi Party member, said she has been requesting a discussion on women's welfare in the Upper House for over three sessions, but has had no response to her notices.
"And tomorrow I am going to wear a purple jacket so I make sure that you notice me. You never notice us sir. You did not hear because you are busy talking to the new CPM leader Mr Sitaram Yechury," Ms Bachchan, 68, said.
Opposition parties have a majority in the Rajya Sabha and have disrupted the government's agenda in session after session, forcing frequent adjournments with noisy protests.