N-liability bill introduced, BJP walks out

The government Friday introduced the contentious civil nuclear liability bill in parliament, prompting the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to dismiss it as "unconstitutional" and walk out of the Lok Sabha amid vigorous protests from opposition benches.

"It's contrary to articles of the constitution. It's illegal and unconstitutional," BJP leader Yashwant Sinha told the house. Sinha also accused the government of acting under US pressure.

The government had deferred the tabling of the bill in the first half of the budget session in March in the face of a hostile opposition.

The passing of the legislation is one of the last remaining steps required to operationalise the 2008 India-US 123 civil nuclear cooperation agreement.