Rajya Sabha disrupted

New Delhi, Dec 16: The Rajya Sabha was disrupted on Wednesday as Congress members sought the sacking of the Aruchal Pradesh Governor JP Rajkhowa, accusing him of "murdering democracy".

The Congress has alleged that the Governor has been interfering with the activities of the State government.

The Congress, which is in power in Aruchal Pradesh, has slammed the Governor for his suo motu convening of the Assembly session, alleging the agenda for the House set by him was for partisan reason to topple the Congress government in the State.

In the din, the House was adjourned for half an hour by Chairman M. Hamid Ansari, and then adjourned again till 2 p.m.

Post lunch, Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien tried to take up legislative business.

However, Congress member Pramod Tiwari stood up and said he has given a notice over the issue.

"Every legislature functions as per Constitution... The House is adjourned till January, before that, the Governor reconvenes it, which he has no right to do," Tiwari said.

"He cannot call session. As per Constitution, only when council of ministers passes the proposal, assembly is called," he said.

Kurien urged the Congress member to move a "substantive motion" to discuss the issue.

The Congress was backed by the CPI-M, with party leader Sitaram Yechury saying the Governor cannot be discussed, but the action can be discussed.

"Issue is not discussing Governor, what we want to discuss is Governor's action," Yechury said.

Kurien then informed the house that the notice is under consideration of the chairman.

Congress members then trooped near the chairman's podium, raising slogans. The House was then adjourned till 3 p.m.

When the House met again, the protests continued.