Delegates protest during PM’s speech

NEW DELHI - Several delegates from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh raised placards protesting over the situation in their states while Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was delivering his address at the 83rd plenary of the Congress here Monday.

Party leaders and Seva Dal volunteers tried to pacify the protesters as disorder prevailed in the enclosure for Pradesh Congress Committee delegates. The volunteers finally overpowered the protesters.

The disruption, at around 11 a.m., lasted for some 10 minutes as camerapersons rushed towards the protesters.

There were also posters against Socical Justice and Empowerment Minister Mukul Wasnik, who is the Congress in-charge for Bihar, alleging that he “sold party tickets” during the recent assembly polls.

On Sunday too, some delegates had hooted when Wasnik was called to speak. He abandoned his speech following the protests.