Politicians spar over 26/11 in Parliament

POLITICS FIRST: LK Advani blamed the Centre for not doing enough for 26/11 victims. (Pic courtesy: Lok Sabha TV)

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New Delhi: The Government's reluctance to respond to Leader of Opposition L K Advani's demand for coordinated action by various agencies to provide relief to people affected by 26/11 led to a heated exchange between Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs in Lok Sabha Thursday.

Raising the issue during zero hour, Advani asked the Home Ministry to coordinate the relief and rehabilitation efforts for the people affected by the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai.

Advani said the Maharashtra government, the Central government and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) have assured proper relief and rehabilitation to people hit by the Mumbai terror strike last year.

"But the relief was given in slow pace," he said, referring to the number of compensation cheques and other relief given to the victims' families.

The Home Minister should take initiative to coordinate the agencies involved in the relief and rehabilitation works, Advani said.

Soon after Advani's speech, Speaker Meira Kumar invited Congress MP Madhu Goud Yaskhi to raise another matter.

But BJP leader Ananth Kumar asked the government to respond to Advani's demand, pointing to Pranab Mukherjee's presence in the house.

An agitated Pranab said he had rushed to the house to listen to the leader of the opposition but not to hear from him (Ananth Kumar).

"I have come only to listen to him (Advani). Not to hear from you (Ananth Kumar)," Pranab said, adding every zero hour reference could not be answered. "Don't make it a practice," he said.

This remark led to heated exchange of words between Mukherjee and BJP MPs, led by Ananth Kumar.

"You are making politics on 26/11," Mukherjee shouted.

Finally, Meira Kumar pacified the MPs, saying "today is a very solemn day. We (the house) paid our condolences and passed a resolution (on 26/11)".

The Speaker also said she could not ask the minister to respond to a zero hour reference.