New Delhi: A top United Nations (UN) official briefing Parliamentarians got a glimpse of the "strange ways" in which Indian Democracy operates.

The occasion was a sensitisation class for Andhra Pradesh (AP) Members of Parliament (MPs) on December 11 in 'eradication of child labour'. Deputy director International Labour Organisation (ILO) Maurizzo Bussi was addressing the Andhra Pradesh MPs, with Minister for Labour Sahib Singh Verma as the chief guest.

The discourse began in right earnest. AP is the state with highest number of child labourers and the lawmakers were seen jotting down ILO tips seriously.

The lights went out to enable the gathering to concentrate on a screen presentation on 'overview of ILO's approach on child labour'.

Thirty minutes into the four-hour session, many a cell phone went abuzz and soon Verma and Yerran Naidu were on their feet shouting, "Members, rush to the House, we have a vote and the government is facing a crunch."

Though the appeal was meant for National Democratic Alliance (NDA) MPs only, Opposition members too were excited. A beeline for the exit ensued and all of them were gone leaving Maurizzo to rue, "Strange ways of Democracy in your country."

PTI