Indian MPs were evacuated from parliament yesterday after a governing Congress party member used pepper spray to halt the introduction of a Bill carving out a new state in the south.

The MPs had been planning to vote on new legislation to create the state of Telangana from the mostly poor, inland districts of Andhra Pradesh state.

But Andhra Pradesh MP Lagadapati Rajagopal attempted to prevent the vote by unleashing pepper spray, which reduced other MPs to coughing and crying as they were ushered out of the building.

Several MPs attempted to subdue Mr Rajagopal, leading to a scuffle.

Four ambulances were called in, with at least one MP taken to hospital.

Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned the session, calling the turmoil “a blot on democracy.”

Mr Rajagopal was suspended, along with several other MPs.

He smashed a glass and pepper-sprayed his colleagues as soon as Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde tried to table the Bill.

Some unconfirmed reports said that another MP pulled out a knife.

The entire session of the current parliament — which began on 5 February — has been disrupted by those against the creation of Telangana.

Telangana, with a population of 35 million, would comprise 10 of Andhra Pradesh’s 23 districts, including the major city of Hyderabad.

Backers of the new state claim that the area has been neglected by the government.