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| Wednesday, 9 June 2004 |
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Opposition shuts down Indian parliament over scandal-tainted ministers NEW DELHI, Tuesday (AFP) India's Hindu nationalist opposition shut down parliament Tuesday when they staged a noisy protest demanding the new left-leaning government fire ministers facing criminal charges. Minutes after the lower house opened, opposition lawmakers led by former defence minister George Fernandes trooped into the well of parliament and shouted "Tainted ministers out of the government!" and "Shame, shame!" The lower house was adjourned until lunch and the upper house closed for the day. Such rancour is common in the Indian parliament where proceedings are often stalled for days by protests. The turmoil comes as the government tries to draft its first budget which it promises will give sops to the rural poor. President Abdul Kalam, in a speech on behalf of the government before a special joint parliament session Monday, pledged action against corruption, a promise seized upon by the Hindu nationalists who suffered an upset defeat in April-May elections. At least three members of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's cabinet face criminal charges including embezzlement and rape. None of the ministers have been convicted, which would disqualify them from public office. Ruling party lawmakers counter that the previous government also had scandal-tainted ministers including the deputy prime minister, Lal Krishna Advani. "This is nothing but double standards," junior water resources minister Jay Prakash Narayan said of the opposition protests, adding that "throwing the entire country into riots" was "a more serious charge." Fernandes, speaking to reporters, countered: "Do you think rape is a political charge? Do you think the loot of the treasury is a political charge?" |
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