As if its MLAs were not enough to make mischievous and go to jail regularly, now Arvind Kejriwal led Aam Admi Party’s Lok Sabha MP has innovative ‘parakram’ to his account which may put parliament’s security in danger as video of high-security parliament complex taken by him and made public may easily go in hand of enemies or terrorists

Mann videography issue rocks LS; Speaker assures action

New Delhi: Lok Sabha proceedings were washed out today following uproar over AAP member Bhagwant Mann’s video of Parliament House by members, mostly from ruling BJP, with Speaker Sumitra Mahajan terming it a “serious issue” and assuring protesting members that some action would be taken.

Pandemonium prevailed soon after the House assembled for the day, with members of BJP and SAD on their feet demanding action against Mann.

Though members of other opposition parties like RJD, JD-U and SP also trooped into the Well holding placards demanding “right” to reservation in promotions, most vociferous protests were from the NDA members seeking action against Mann, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House for almost an hour till noon.

Similar scenes continued when the House reassembled and listed papers were laid.

Amid the din, Mahajan said the matter was “serious” and under her consideration.

“Koi na koi karvayee karenge (we will take some action),” she said, adding that 13 people had laid down their lives for the security of Parliament referring to the terror attack in December 2001.

A tensed Mann himself stood up in his seat and was seen trying to speak on the issue.

As the uproar continued, proceedings were adjourned for the day.

In the nearly 12 minute video, Mann is seen giving a running commentary as his vehicle crosses security barricades and enters Parliament. “I’ll today show you something you would not have seen earlier,” he is heard saying.

Mann is then shown entering a room where questions to be taken up inside Parliament are being sorted and seen describing the ongoing process.

When the Zero Hour was taken up after the adjournment, members, mainly from the ruling NDA, demanded action against Mann with the Speaker allowing party leaders to speak on the matter.

Terming it as a “serious issue”, Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said the House should come together and condemn it. It is a problem for members representing 125 crore people and that of the nation, he said.

“If we do like this, it will be a big problem for democracy,” Kharge said and sought action against Mann.

Protesting Mann’s action, R K Singh (BJP), also a former Home Secretary, claimed that the member has said he would do it again. “Tatkaal barkhast kariye (remove him immediately),” Singh said.

Singh also said the AAP member had put a question mark on the security of the sensitive complex and demanded a breach of privilege motion be brought against Mann.

BJD leader B Mahtab demanded that a separate committee be set up to look into the issue.

“It is a very serious matter. It is not ignorance or foolishness…,” he said and emphasised that the issue was also not just a matter of ethical conduct or privilege.

Referring to the December 13, 2001 terror attack on the Parliament House, Mahtab said at that time, the terrorists did not know where to enter. On that day, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi had called then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to know what had happened, Mahtab added.

Shiv Sena leader Anandrao Adsul urged the Speaker to disqualify Mann immediately. “Barkhaast kariya aaj hi” (remove him today),” he said.

AIADMK member P Kumar asked the Speaker to look into the matter.

Maintaining that the video was a “breach of security”, Kirit Somaiya (BJP) demanded his disqualification as an MP.

Through the din, RJD and SP members were in the Well holding placards saying ‘aarakshan ki haq-maari nahi chalegi’ (Won’t allow usurping of our right to reservation). They were apparently expressing their anguish over delay in passage of a bill on reservation in promotions.

With the panedemonium continuing, the Speaker then adjourned the House for the day.

Mann appears before Speaker over Parliament video

New Delhi:AAP MP Bhagwant Mann today appeared before Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan after being summoned following his controversial video on the high security Parliament House complex.

Sources in the Lok Sabha Secretariat said Mahajan had been trying to contact Mann since yesterday evening but his phone was not reachable. He could finally be contacted this morning.

The Speaker sought his explanation on the video and Mann gave his views, they said.

In the nearly 12-minute video, Mann gives a running commentary as his vehicle crosses security barricades and enters Parliament. “I’ll today show you something you would not have seen earlier,” he is heard saying in the video.

Mann is then shown entering a room where questions to be taken up inside Parliament are being sorted and he describes the process.

The issue later led to the adjournment of House, first for an hour during Question Hour and then for the day.

BJP MPs force RS to adjourn over AAP MP’s video on Parliament

New Delhi: Ruling BJP members today forced an adjournment of Rajya Sabha till noon demanding action against Aam Aadmi Party’s Lok Sabha MP Bhagwant Mann for allegedly compromising security by videographing the Parliament complex and putting it on social media.

Admitting that the matter was very serious, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said the government has to take cognisance of the security violation and take appropriate legal action.

If members wanted a discussion on the issue, an appropriate resolution has to be brought, he said.

While criticising Mann, the Opposition Congress and CPI-M wanted to know what action the government has taken for the serious security breach and what stopped it from pressing in Lok Sabha, where the BJP has absolute majority, to take action against the member of that House.

Even as Kurien read out procedure of rule 267 under which adjournment of proceedings for taking up a discussion was sought, BJP members shouting slogans moved into the aisles, forcing him to adjourn the House till noon.

Earlier, soon after listed papers were laid and an obituary reference made, BJP and SAD members were up on their feet raising the issue.

Naresh Gujral (SAD) said action must be taken against the AAP MP for his “trivial” behaviour.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi sought action under National Security Act against the member as he had exposed to terrorists the security apparatus inside the Parliament building complex.

Mann, by putting the video on security checks, positioning of security personnel and layout of Parliament House complex on social media sites, was helping terrorist succeed in their nefarious designs, Naqvi claimed.

Stating that security of parliament was of paramount importance, Kurien said “the government has to take cognisance of this security violation and take appropriate action.”

He went on to point out to the technicalities involved in that process, saying the MP in question was a member of the other House and Lok Sabha Speaker could alone take action against him.

Government, he said, should be seized of the security violation and take appropriate actions. “Government can take legal action (against the MP),” he said adding if the government wants a discussion a motion has to be moved.

When the House reassembled at noon, uproarious scenes were witnessed as members from both the opposition and treasury benches were seen raising slogans and speaking at the same time, as Chairman Hamid Ansari asked members to take up the Question Hour.

Seeking to raise the Mann issue, Union Minister and SAD leader Harsimrat Badal was heard saying security of the nation was more important, but Ansari did not permit her to speak.

As pandemonium continued and members continued to raise slogans and Ansari’s pleas to bring order in the House went unheard, he adjourned the House for half an hour.

“This is an issue of national security… it is a conspiracy,” Naqvi said, alleging that Mann has threatened to put security in jeopardy by stating that he would do it again.

Ambika Soni (Cong) said government of the day should have stood up and told what they have done since Mann violated the security and uploaded the video on social media.

As BJP members continued raising slogans, Kurien said he wanted to take a decision on the notice after listening to the views of members. “You cannot force me to take a decision in this way,” he said.

Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M) expressed concern over security of the temple of democracy being compromised but wanted to know what action the government has taken on it.

He asked why the government had not acted so far since the video was uploaded on social media sites yesterday, suggesting that the Speaker of Lok Sabha, where the BJP has absolute majority, should take action against Mann.

“Why is delay since yesterday (in taking action). I am asking the government, why action has not been taken so far,” he said.

Naqvi responded that the government cannot suo motu take action unless the House recommends.

Partap Singh Bajwa (Cong) said security of Parliament was a non-partisan issue. The government, he said, should have arrested Mann and removed him from Lok Sabha membership.

Anand Sharma (Cong) said a joint committee under Lok Sabha Speaker was constituted after the 2001 Parliament attack and the current issue should also be referred to the same panel.

Sharad Yadav (JD-U) termed Mann’s action as “naadani” (folly or act done in ignorance), evoking sharp protests from treasury benches.

He said the breach has become an issue because there are elections in Punjab, from where Mann was elected to Lok Sabha in 2014.

Tapan Kumar Sen (CPI-M) said the House is one that action must be taken. “The government should take action.”

When Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal wanted to speak, Anand Sharma (Cong) raised a point of order saying members were presenting their views as members of the Upper House.

Maintaining that Lok Sabha members should present their views in their House, Sharma said “this is not government business,” indicating that Harsimrat Badal, a Lok Sabha MP from Bhatinda in Punjab, cannot speak in the Upper House on non-government matters. He also said that only the members of this House can be permitted to make their pleadings.

As Kurien began reading out procedures pertaining to taking up of notices under rule 267, BJP members were up on their feet shouting slogans.

“If you are serious, sit down. Otherwise I will have to adjourn,” he said. “Nobody disputes the seriousness of the subject. House is united and unanimous… Let me decide (on rule 267 notice).”

He asked members to cooperate if they wanted the House to function. As his pleas went unheeded, Kurien adjourned the House till noon.

Uproar was again witnessed when the House reconvened at 12.33 PM with BJP MP coming into the aisles. Some Congress members were also seen standing and gesturing at the BJP members.

Chairman Ansari tried to take up a question listed for the Question Hour but the absence of order did not allow it.

Harsimrat too was on her feet. Seeing her, Ansari said that “you are a minister, please sit down.”

However as the chaos continued to prevail, the Chairman was left with no choice and adjourned the proceedings till 2.30 PM.

Kejriwal evades question on Bhagwant Mann

Mota Samadhiyala:AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal today refused to answer a question on his party’s MP Bhagwant Mann who landed in trouble for filming the Parliament complex and sharing it on social media.

When a reporter asked for his comment, he evaded the question.

In the nearly 12 minute video that Mann shared live on Facebook, he filmed his vehicle crossing security barricades and entering Parliament yesterday.

Both houses of Parliament were rocked by uproar over his act as MPs across party lines demanded action against him.

PTI