Cong stages walkout in LS on Rafale issue

New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday staged a walkout in the Lok Sabha after its demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Rafale deal was rejected.

Kharge tried to speak but Speaker Sumitra Mahajan did not allow and continued with the business of the House.

At this a visibly upset Kharge asked loudly, "What is this? We want JPC".

The Speaker said she was not saying no to anyone.

"I will allow you to speak when the time will come. Now sit down. You have shouted a lot. Give your throat some rest," she said. With this, Kharge sat down but said, "If you don't allow us to speak, why should we be here".

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, who was sitting next to Kharge, nodded in support.

Kharge soon nudged other Congress MPs to restart the protests and they immediately trooped into the well, carrying placards and shouting slogans seeking JPC on the Rafale deal.

Alleging corruption, Kharge said a JPC probe was needed to probe the deal.

He also demanded discussion on the issue to which the Speaker said a debate had already taken place in the House.