Uproar in Parliament on Antulay issue; oppn demands sacking

New Delhi, Dec 19 (PTI) The A R Antulay issue is refusing to subside with opposition in Parliament remaining unrelenting for the second day Friday in its demand for the sacking of the Union Minister following his controversial remarks on the killing of Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare.

The issue created uproar in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House
of Parliament) as also the Lok Sabha (Lower House) for the
second consecutive day with the opposition demanding his
sacking forthwith. In the Upper House, the opposition members,
mostly belonging to National Democratic Alliance (NDA), staged
a walkout.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, S
S Ahluwalia (BJP) wondered why the Prime Minister was "silent"
and did not come out with a statement immediately. "In whose
hands is Antulay playing -- Dawood or ISI?" he asked.

In the Lok Sabha, BJP member Sumitra Mahajan wondered how
can a Union Minister give an "irresponsible" statement on an
issue like this and "weaken" India's fight against terrorism
emanating from Pakistan.

The statement, she said in the Zero Hour, was
particularly objectionable as it has come at a time when the
entire country was united in the fight against terror.

Besides, she wanted the Government to probe thoroughly
the speculation in Maharashtra that a political leader had a
hand in helping the terrorists who struck in Mumbai. This
leader, she said, helped the ultras land in neighbouring
Raigad district.

Her party colleague Santosh Gangwar wanted the Government
to verify whether the reports of resignation of Antulay were
true.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in the
Lok Sabha that Government will respond on the issue before the
session adjourns in a couple of days.

Mahajan, who had given notice of an adjournment motion
on the issue, said that Antulay's statement was all the more
objectionable given the fact that Maharashtra Government has
confirmed that Karkare was killed by terrorists.

In the Rajya Sabha, the demand of Manohar Joshi (Shiv
Sena) that Antulay should not be part of the Cabinet and
should be dropped immediately drew spontaneous support from
many other opposition members.

Bharatkumar Raut (Shiv Sena) said Antulay chose to air
his views "very meticulously" when the Lok Sabha was
discussing the anti-terror laws.

"Antulay raised the issue outside Parliament. He could
have raised it inside the House," he said adding that it was a
design to create an atmosphere of suspicion and disturb the
socio-religious harmony in the country.

He said the Prime Minister should seek an apology from
the Minister and sack him, otherwise, he should be impeached.

In the Lok Sabha, Mukherjee said "The House is meeting
for a couple of days. Before the House adjourns we will
explain the Government position.".

A similar statement was made by Minister of State for
Parliamentary Affairs V Narainsamy in the Rajya Sabha. PTI SPG
PMR