PEOPLE QUEUEING OUTSIDE PARLIAMENT HOUSE; MR. DESAI, MR. NANDA, AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSIONER ARRIVING; MR. PATRIL ENTERING; DEMONSTRATORS; POLICE; DEMONSTRATORS MARCHING. (NATSOF).




Initials RJ/VS/MR/PC



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Background: ABOUT 200 THOUSAND PEOPLE MASSED OUTSIDE PARLIAMENT HOUSE, NEW DELHI, YESTERDAY (MONDAY) FOR WHAT PROMISED TO BE ONE OF THE STORMIEST SESSIONS OF INDIAN PARLIAMENT IN RECENT YEARS. THE COUNTRY'S PRIME MINISTER, MRS INDIRA GANDHI AND HER MINORITY GOVERNMENT WERE FACING A SHOW OF STRENGTH.

IT WAS THE FIRST SITTING OF THE INDIAN LOWER HOUSE SINCE MRS GANDHI'S RULING CONGRESS PARTY LOST ITS OVERALL MAJORITY. MRS GANDHI COMMANDS THE SUPPORT OF ONLY ABOUT 210 CONGRESS PARTY MEMBERS IN THE 523 SEAT HOUSE FOLLOWING THE SPLIT IN THE PARTY RANKS WHICH LED TO AT LEAST 60 MEMBERS WITHDRAWING THEIR ALLEGIANCE. PARLIAMENT WAS UNDER HEAVY POLICE GUARD AS MEMBERS BEGAN ARRIVING FOR THE FIRST SESSION. ABOUT TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND PEOPLE CARRYING BANNERS GATHERED OUTSIDE THE BUILDING. THEY WERE PROTESTING AGAINST A VARIETY OF ISSUES VARYING FROM THE DEMAND THAT CHANDIGARH CITY BE GIVEN BACK TO HARYANA STATE, TO JOBS FOR DEMOBILISED ARMY OFFICERS.

THE GOVERNMENT FACED ITS FIRST TEST WITH A MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT MOVED BY SWANTANTRA MEMBER PILOO MODY, ATTACKING INDIA'S PARTICIPATION IN THE RABAT ISLAMIC SUMMIT. THE MOTION WAS CRUSHED BY 306 VOTES TO 140 GIVING MRS GANDHI A MAJORITY SUPPORT OF 166 VOTES.