The issue of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Bhagwant Mann’s filming and uploading of a video showing the access route to Parliament created huge uproar in Parliament on Friday, leading to adjournment of both Houses.
MPs demanded strong action against the MP from Punjab’s Sangrur, who was present in Lok Sabha and is said to have offered an “unconditional apology” to Speaker Sumitra Mahajan after being summoned by her.
Amid the noisy protests by NDA members who sought Mann’s suspension, Mahajan said it was a “serious issue”, especially after 13 people had lost their lives due to a security breach in Parliament on December 13, 2001. “The matter is under my consideration and I will take a decision in the matter,” she said.
Members from the BJP, Akali Dal and Shiv Sena shouted slogans in both Houses, demanding Mann’s disqualification and calling for a privilege motion against him for “compromising” the security of Parliament.
A sheepish Mann watched as the protests grew louder, with BJP’s Kirit Somaiya demanding his disqualification for “playing” with the security of Parliament, and former Home Secretary and BJP member RK Singh accusing him of “playing with the lives of lawmakers”.
The Congress, Left parties and Janata Dal (United) also joined in in demanding action against the AAP member.
With the protests refusing to die down, Mahajan adjourned the House till Monday.
In the Rajya Sabha, Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien said the MP in question was a member of the other House and that the Lok Sabha Speaker alone could take action against him.
The BJP demanded that Akali Dal’s Harsimrat Kaur Badal be allowed to speak on the Mann issue, while the Congress objected, saying she was a member of the Lok Sabha.
Kurien said he would permit Badal to speak but only after introduction of private member Bills, but BJP members did not yield and trooped into Well, leading to the House being adjourned .