Shashi Tharoor listens to Rahul Gandhi in LS as he leads protest

Congress MP Shashi Tharor, who recently faced Sonia Gandhi's ire, was on seen in Lok Sabha on 27 July engrossed in an animated discussion with Rahul Gandhi who was playing an active role in guiding his party's protesting members in the House which saw some business despite the din.

The Congress Vice President was seen gesturing to Tharoor and discussing something with him while several Congress members were in the Well shouting slogans and demanding ouster of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

All Congress members donned black bands on their right arm, apparently as a mark of protest against government's refusal to accept their demands.

Rahul, while standing in the aisle along with Tharoor, was seen giving directions to the party members as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan took up the scheduled business and allowed members to speak on Gurdaspur terror attack despite the din.

Tharoor was also consulted on a note which his colleague Jyotiraditya Scindia wrote in consultation with party chief Sonia Gandhi after Leader of Congress Mallikarjun could not have a say when a number of members spoke on the Punjab attack. Tharoor, the member from Kerala, was seen adding something to that note.

Only last week, Tharoor had disapproved of disruptions in Parliament, for which he was snubbed by the Congress chief.

When a number of MPs spoke on Gurdaspur attack in the House today, Kharge wanted to join them even though his party colleagues were in the Well shouting slogans.

Congress members were heard telling the Speaker that Kharge too wants to condemn the incident and be allowed.

A visibly annoyed Speaker rebuffed them, saying he should first ensure withdrawal of his party colleagues who were holding placards against rules and shouting slogans. "Both cannot go together," she said.

At this, Kharge was heard telling the Speaker, "you gave chance to others and not me. I see partiality in this."

(With Inputs from PTI)