Rajagopal, MP who used pepper spray in LS, is also founder of loss-making Lanco Group

First Biz :13 Feb 2014

Vijayawada MP L Rajagopalan, who used pepper spray on his fellow MPs in Lok Sabha today after the Congress-led UPA government tabled the Telangana Bill in Parliament, is also the founder and former chairman of loss-making Lanco Infratech.

This morning, after Shinde tabled the Telangana Bill in Parliament, L Rajagopal, Congress MP from the Seemandhra region, reportedly whipped out a canister of spray and sprayed it inside the Lok Sabha in order to protest against the creation of a new state.

The spray resulted in many of the MPs coughing and television visuals showed Speaker Meira Kumar coughing before quickly leaving the Lower House of Parliament. Other MPs complained of irritation in their eyes and difficulty in breathing.

Opposition MPs were seen looking on in shock and amusement even as marshals restrained Rajagopal and proceedings were adjourned.

Speaking to CNN-IBN before Parliamentary proceedings, L Rajagopal said he would not allow the bill to be passed and when asked how he would stop the bill he said, "You will have to wait and see."

The Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned even as medical staff were called into action to treat the affected MPs. Three MPs were taken in an ambulance from Parliament, reported CNN-IBN, adding that the nature of their injuries wasn't known.

High security measures were in place ahead of today's proceedings as some MPs had even suggested they could attempt suicide to protest against the creation of the new state. However, MPs cannot be body searched before they enter Parliament.

Rajagopal was yesterday expelled from the Congress - along with five other MPs - for opposing creation of Telangana and giving notice of no-confidence motion against the government. These MPs from the Seemandhra region, the residuary state after Telangana is carved out of Andhra Pradesh, had been disrupting the House protesting the bill since the second half of the winter session started on 5 February.

The Vijayawada MP had been openly against the formation of Telangana, and has been protesting against it for the past few years. He had criticised the party high command for not heeding the views of Seemandhra leaders on the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, but said he had advised Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy not to quit until the Parliament session ended.

A few years ago, Rajagopal was one of the first leaders to take up the flagship of the anti-Telangana movement. After  P Chidambaram's announcement that the Centre was initiating the process for the formation of Telangana state, Rajagopal was the first MP to send in his resignation.

Here is all you need to know about Rajagopal's Constituency

Vijayawada is the third largest city in Andhra Pradesh  and is located on the banks of the majestic Krishna River, and is surrounded by the lndrakiladri hills on the West and the Budameru river on the North. The city forms a part of the Krishna district, and is spread over an area of 58 sq kms (urban area), with a population of 8,25,436 (2001 census).

Rajagopal calls Vijayawada his 'Dharma bhoomi'. Educated in Siddhartha engineering college in Vijayawada, Rajagopal has strong links to the city. And With the establishment of Lanco Kondapalli power plant in Kondapalli, his association with the city grew even closer.

As chairman of Lanco's charitable trust, LIGHT, Rajagopal undertook several initiatives in and around Vijayawada

Rajagopal founded Lanco Infratech in 1986 and remained its chairman until he joined active politics in 2002. His brother Madhusudhan Rao took over as chairman. The company is engaged in construction, power, real estate, and several other segments.

Its key businesses have been frequently kicked up controversies.

In 2007, Managing Director GV Babu was caught at an airport with a suitcase containing Rs 34 lakh unaccounted cash.

Lanco Infratech also ran ran into financial trouble and filed for corporate debt restructuring in 2013. The company has more than Rs 7,000 crore debt. In October-December, the company's loss widened to Rs 529.68 crore from Rs 465 crore a year ago.