Lagadapati defends using pepper spray

New Delhi, Feb 13 : Expelled Congress MP Lagadapati Rajagopal has claimed that he used pepper spray in self-defence.

Speaking to media persons here, Rajagopal said that he rushed into the well of the House only after a Seemandhra MP was attacked. Stating that he did not resorted to any violence, he said that he took the step only in self-defence.

The incident took place when Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde was tabling the Telangana Bill in the House. The use of pepper spray led to chaos. The strong, pungent odour triggered coughing among the MPs who rushed out of the house. Doctors were called and three MPs were taken to hospital. When the House re-assembled at 2 PM, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar suspended 18 MPs, from both Telangana and Seemandhra region, for their unruly behaviour in the House.

Rajagopal also slammed the Speaker for suspension of MPs. He accused the Speaker of acting in a partisan manner.  INN