Ajay Mishra a 'criminal': Rahul; Uproar in LS, adjourned for the day

New Delh: Lok Sabha proceedings saw acrimonious scenes leading to adjournment for the day on Thursday. The uproar arose following comments by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi that Union Minister Ajay Mishra should be sacked from the ministry in connection with the Lakhimpur Kheri violence in which Mishra's so, Ashish Mishra was implicated and a Special Investigation Team (SIR) came to the conclusion that the incident was a planned attack.

Gandhi, who had a question on MSME sector listed on Thursday, dubbed Mishra as a "criminal" and demanded his ouster when Speaker Om Birla called his name.

The Opposition members were already lined up for a showdown demanding ouster of Mishra whose son was arrested in connection with the violence in October at the site of farmers' protest.

The Opposition members trooped into the well raising slogans and waving placards of their demand. Trinamool Congress members, who had earlier stayed away from the opposition grouping, were also in the well of the House raising slogans along with members of the Congress and Left parties.

"This minister should be removed from the government. He is a 'criminal', action should be taken against him," Gandhi said, adding that Mishra was 'involved' in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence.

He also cited that the investigation has revealed there was a conspiracy. The Speaker asked Gandhi to stick to the question related to the MSME sector that was listed against his name.

"You are a senior member. You ask the question number 262. You will be given adequate time to ask the question you have listed for Question Hour. You claim that you are not allowed to speak in the House. I will give you adequate time if you stick to the question listed by you," the Speaker said.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said Gandhi was trying to speak at a time when Congress members were in the Well of the House.

"How can this be allowed. Ask him to call the members back to their seats," Joshi said.

BJP members too were up on their feet as Gandhi continued to speak on the Lakhimpur Kheri violence.

"Your minister here has attacked farmers. He should resign. His involvement is there. There has been a conspiracy. He should be punished for that. He should be removed from the government," Gandhi said.

Congress member Gaurav Gogoi said the minister had misbehaved with journalists on Wednesday.

His reference was to the minister losing his cool at reporters in Lakhimpur Kheri on Wednesday, calling them 'thieves' and lunging at one of them when they questioned him on the October 3 violence for which his son is among the accused.

With the opposition members unrelenting, the Speaker adjourned the proceedings till 2 pm.

As the Lok Sabha re-assembled at 2 pm, opposition members were in the Well again demanding action against Mishra.

BJD leader Bhratruhari Mahtab, who was in the chair, allowed laying of Parliamentary papers on the table of the House and introduction of the Biological Diversity Bill before adjourning the proceedings for the day.

Eight people, including four farmers, were killed in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence in October.

The SIT has arrested 13 people including the Union minister's son Ashish Mishra in the first FIR in connection with the death of the four farmers and the journalist. In the second FIR relating to the death of two BJP workers and a driver during the violence, the SIT had arrested four people.

(With inputs from PTI)