NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha witnessed some heated exchanges between BJP and Congress members on Monday during the Question Hour when leader of Congress in the House, Mallikarjun Kharge , alleged that “surveillance” was being mounted on opposition MPs within the House, pointing to an officer sitting in the officers’ gallery next to the treasury benches.

BJP rubbished the charge asserting that the proceedings of the House were live on TV, hence there was no need for anyone to note down the presence of MPs.

As the Question Hour progressed, Kharge stood up and alleged that an officer was taking notes on the opposition MPs, and was regularly standing and counting. “It is surveillance. Who is he? Why is he taking notes? Is it permissible?” Kharge said, as his party members supported.

He alleged as soon as he raised the issue, the officer ran away from the gallery, asking the Speaker to check his notepad.

