New Delhi:
A united Opposition has been a star feature of the Winter Session all through. Today, yet another issue brought opposition parties together - the demand that a BSP MP get an apology for being allegedly "pushed" by the Prime Minister's security. The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2 pm after much uproar.
Bahujan Samaj Party MP Dr Bali Ram alleged in House that he was "pushed" by the Prime Minister's Special Protection Group (SPG) guards inside Parliament at the Hiren Mukherjee memorial. He took umbrage at this, saying the House belonged to MPs and SPG men could just not harass them. The BSP MP then demanded an apology and a united opposition backed him.
The Prime Minister was not present in the lower House when the BSP MP brought the matter up.
The matter had been referred to the Speaker Meira Kumar.
When the House reconvened, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee apologised on behalf of the government over the incident. "I sincerely apologise, I express regret. Within the premises, everybody is equal. No two opinion on the same...Let this matter be closed", Mr Mukherjee said.