With a spat between the TMC and the BJP gaining in momentum, lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai lost his cool on Monday saying “this is not West Bengal Assembly.” Trouble started when TMC’s Kalyan Banerjee was speaking on the Repealing and Amendment (Second) Bill. He was interrupted by MoS Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Pratap Rudy, who asked him to address the Chair while speaking.
An angered Banerjee said that since Cabinet Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Venkaiah Naidu was not present in the House, Ministers like Rudy were disrupting the functioning of the House. A spat ensued, with BJP member SS Ahluwalia joining in. Upset over this, Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai said, “We are seriously discussing the Amendment Bill. You may have grievance, but arguing like this is not good on part of both the members... I cannot let both of you to argue like this”.
Thambidurai also expunged from records various unparliamentary remarks made by the members. As members continued with their arguments, an agitated Thambidurai said, “This is Parliament, not West Bengal Assembly. All of you please take your seats”.