Pranab, BJP MPs Exchange Heated Words in LS over 26/11 Relief

On government’s reluctance to respond to Leader of Opposition LK Advani’s demand for a coordinated action for relief to 26/11 victims, a exchange of heated words took place between Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee and BJP MPs in Lok Sabha on Thursday.

In the zero hour, asking for the home ministry to coordinate the relief and rehabilitation efforts, Advani said that the Maharashtra government, 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.

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

However, BJP MP Ananth Kumar, pointing to Pranab Mukherjee’s presence in the house, asked the government to respond to Advani’s demand.

Pranab, agitated over this, said that 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.