Rajya Sabha Chairman Mohammed Hamid Ansari today suspended Trinamool Congress member Sukhendu Sekhar Roy for the rest of the day on charges of gross misconduct and indiscipline. When the House reassembled to take up Question Hour after three adjournments, Mr Roy insisted on the Chair to first allow him to raise his zero hour mention on the naming of the recipients in the AgustaWestland helicopter deal.
To this, Mr Ansari said he cannot raise the issue during the question hour. As Mr Roy persisted with his demand for naming of the persons involved in the helicopter deal, the Chairman said that he will invoke the relevant rule to suspend him. After he left the House, the Chairman told members that Mr Roy will stay outside the House till the rest of the day. Later, the other members of the Trinamool Congress walked out in protest.
Earlier, the House witnessed repeated adjournments on two different issues. The Congress members referred to a CAG report on oil exploration by the Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation in the K G Basin.
They alleged widespread mismanagement by the Corporation leading to higher costs and financial losses during the period when Mr Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister. They demanded that Prime Minister should reply. Trinamool Congress members gave notices demanding a discussion on AgustaWestland helicopter deal. The House will re-assemble at 2 PM.
