RS plunges into turmoil

Rajya Sabha plunged into a brief turmoil today when several BJP members objected to the use of the word "Modikaran" by Congress leader Satyavarat Chaturvedi.

It all began when Chaturvedi, while highlighting the government's plan of action as envisaged in the President's address, took a jibe at opposition BJP's election campaign.

"But it is fortunate that the front-runners of such politics failed wherever they went...people negated wherever attempts were made for Modikaran," Chaturvedi said,  evoking strong reactions from the opposition benches.

Senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu said it is not fair to take the name and the Congress leader has made a factually incorrect statement while S S Ahluwalia cited rules and wondered whether the name of a person who is not present in the House can be taken. Ahluwalia also tried to link the issue with taking a caste name, saying "taking caste name is all the more serious an offence if Modikaran has been said in reference to this."

Normal functioning of the House commenced after chairman Hamid Ansari assured to look into the matter but controversy cropped up again when Chaturvedi said, "We feel proud to say that we have done Gandhikaran of Congress. Why do you (BJP) feel ashamed about Modikaran."