Congress MLA A.S. Ponnanna’s plea for a debate in the House on Central agencies allegedly targeting Congress leaders triggered a heated debate between members of the treasury benches and the Opposition, forcing Speaker U.T. Khader to adjourn the proceedings here on Wednesday.
During Zero Hour, Mr. Ponnanna, referring to a Delhi High Court order rejecting an ED’s plea against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and others in the National Herald case, alleged that the Central government has been misusing its agencies to target leaders of the Opposition.
A notice has been issued to Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. “We need to discuss the issue and arrive at an unanimous resolution,” he said.
Even as he raised the issue, the members in the Opposition, including Leader of Opposition R. Ashok, objected to him mentioning the issue. They argued that the rules of the procedures of the House do not allow such an issue to be taken up during the Zero Hour.
“If the issue is debated, who will reply to the debate in the House?” asked Mr. Ashok.
