New Delhi:
A parliamentarian from Andhra Pradesh today fainted the Rajya Sabha while animatedly protesting against the Centre's decision to bifurcate his state.
C M Ramesh, was in the Well of the Rajya Sabha when he collapsed. He belongs to the Telugu Desam Party or TDP headed by Chandrababu Naidu.
Mr Ramesh had put a black cloth across his face to highlight his protest and fainted while he was holding up a placard that said "Save Andhra Pradesh."
He has been among a group of parliamentarians who have chanted slogans against the Centre for the last four days since parliament began its Monsoon Session.
Deputy Chairman P J Kurien immediately adjourned the House.
When the House reassembled, he was not present.
Members of Parliament, including some from the ruling Congress, say they cannot accept the decision taken recently to carve out Telangana - one of the three regions that make up Andhra Pradesh - as India's 29th state. The process, the Centre has said, will take about six months.
It is being opposed by politicians from the other two regions of the state - Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema.