Slapgate: AIADMK MP alleges she is being forced to quit Rajya Sabha

​New Delhi: AIADMK MP Sasikala Pushpa, who reportedly slapped DMK lawmaker Trichy Siva at Delhi airport on Saturday, today claimed she was slapped by a "leader" and faced threat to life in Tamil Nadu, alleging she was being forced to quit Rajya Sabha.

Pushpa first rushed into the Well of the House to get permission to make her statement and then broke down several times as she said she faced "life threat" from state government and alluded to her being slapped by a "leader".

She, however, did not make it clear who slapped her and when.

A report later said she was expelled from the party by AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa for "anti-party activities".

Raising the issue, she said "If an MP is being slapped by a leader, where is human dignity," provoking strong protest from members of her own party AIADMK.

As she found support in opposition members who wanted the chair to allow her to make her full submission, A Navaneethakrishnan (AIADMK) walked into the well and out of it multiple times demanding that her remarks be expunged.

"I have life threat... I am being compelled to resign from my constitutional post," she said. "Where is women's safety in this country? ... I am being harassed. I need protection. In Tamil Nadu, I don't have safety. There is threat to my life."

Pushpa said she was thankful to her party leader for sending her to Rajya Sabha but "if a leader can slap an MP, I need protection. I need government's protection."

"I want to serve the country (and not resign)," she said.

"I am not here in Rajya Sabha for any benefit."

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said the Chairman was custodian of all members of the House and he will protect her too.

He however asked her not to mention anyone's name who cannot come to the House to defend himself or herself.

The aggrieved member can write to the Chairman for necessary action, Kurien said.

But the opposition benches broke into protest saying she should be allowed to make her full submission. Women members of Congress party moved into aisles and vociferously raised the issue of her plight as a fellow member.