Monday, March 14 2005 15:22 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: A remark against Congress President Sonia Gandhi by JDU (Janata Dal United) member Prabhunath Singh led to a mild uproar in the Lok Sabha leading to abrupt adjournment on Monday (March 14, 2005).

The trouble arose when Singh complained that some district administrations in Bihar could not provide him security during campaigning in the just-concluded polls despite a direction from the Election Commission.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, he said he could not go for canvassing support for want of security in those areas, but electronic media reported that he was barred entry from those areas by the Commission as it did to some criminal politicians.

The JD-U leaders statement prompted some objectionable remarks against him by RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) and Congress members provoking him to target Gandhi, who was sitting in the House.

Immediately some Congress members as also some of the RJD protested vehemently against the remark and wanted Speaker Somnath Chatterjee to expunge them.

There were counter protests from the Opposition side in support of the JD-U leader prompting the Speaker to adjourn the House 15 minutes ahead of the lunch recess.