Akhilesh Yadav Airport Row Rocks Rajya Sabha, Proceedings Disrupted

Rajya Sabha proceedings were disrupted Tuesday following protests by the Samajwadi Party and other opposition parties over alleged stopping of SP chief Akhilesh Yadav at Lucknow airport to prevent him from visiting Allahabad.

The trouble started in the first half after as many as 15 members had made Zero Hour mention on matters of public importance. Samajwadi Party members were up on their feet trying to raise the issue but Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu ordered that nothing would go on record.

Mr Naidu said he cannot allow them to raise the issue as they have not given notice.

SP members said they have received information that party president Akhilesh Yadav was stopped at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow by police in a bid to prevent him from visiting Allahabad to attend an oath-taking ceremony of a student leader at Allahabad University.

"Please go to your seat. Please don't spoil the atmosphere. This is not the way. We have lost so much of valuable time," Mr Naidu said before adjourning the proceedings till 2pm.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had told reporters in Lucknow that the step was taken on the request of the university as there was apprehension that Mr Yadav's visit could trigger violence on the campus. But Yadav claimed the chief minister's statement was "a cover to hide nervousness" and its action showed how "scared" the BJP government is.

When the Rajya Sabha re-assembled at 2pm, members of SP, Bahujan Samaj Party, Trinamool Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) continued their protests following which the House was adjourned till 2:35pm.

As soon as the House met again at 2:35pm, members from various opposition parties trooped into the Well protesting against the incident involving Akhilesh Yadav.

Deputy Chairman Harivansh tried to pacify the members saying that the Chairman did not receive any notice regarding the issues being raised by them and therefore a discussion on them cannot be allowed.

He asked the members to go back to their seats so that the discussion on Motion of Thanks on President's address can continue and later the one on interim budget is taken up.

"This is our constitutional duty. We are not even being able to discuss over the budget speech," he said.

However, opposition members refused to relent and continued their protests, following which he adjourned the house till Wednesday.