The issue of reduction in foodgrain allocation to Kerala rocked both the Houses of Parliament. While the Left members staged a walkout in the Rajya Sabha, their counterparts in the Lok Sabha also registered their protest asking the government to raise the allocation to the State. Raising the issue during question hour, CPI(M) MP Sitaram Yechury pointed out that the Centre had reduced foodgrain allocation to Kerala by 86 per cent. He asked Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, who was present in the House, to give Kerala its full quota as was being done in the case of Congress-ruled Andhra Pradesh. However, Mr. Pawar said the quota had been fixed on the basis of intake by States in the last two-three years and no different yardsticks were being applied in quota allocation to the States. "Andhra Pradesh lifted the foodgrain quota earmarked for it in the last two-three years while Kerala did not,' he said, and asked the Kerala government to procure foodgrain on its own from other States. Dissatisfied with Mr. Pawar's remark, the Left leaders again sought his assurance on increase in supply. With no response coming from the Minister, agitated members of the Left parties, led by Mr. Yechury and Brinda Karat, staged a walkout. In the Lok Sabha, the matter was raised during zero hour by the members from Kerala, who were joined by the MPs of Left parties, who sought a statement from the Finance Minister. When repeated attempts by Speaker Somnath Chatterjee failed to pacify the members who stood in the aisle, External Affairs Minister and Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee said he would convey the sense of the members to the Agriculture and Food Minister.He said the Agriculture Minister had already explained the position but still when the members raised the issue it would be brought to his notice and "we will do whatever best can be done'. Mr. Chatterjee supported the demand of the Left members asking the government to address the issue. The MPs from Kerala also staged a dharna at the Parliament entrance.