Russian flags were flying high in the
historic naval city of Sevastopol today as people looked forward to
rejoining what many see as their homeland after a crunch referendum on
Crimea's future. Several thousand people -- many waving the white, blue
and red Russian standard or holding flowers -- gathered for a
celebratory concert in the city's Nakhimov Square, named after one of
Russia's most illustrious admirals. Shortly after polling closed, exit
polls confirmed what spectators never doubted and showed that 93 per
cent of voters favoured joining Russia and breaking away from Ukraine.
"We're free of the occupation," shouted Lucia Prokorovna, 60, carrying a
giant Russian flag. "Ukraine was attached to Crimea like a sack of
potatoes. Today I visited the polling station -- I only slept half the
night hoping for the moment we would be with Russia." Russian rock band
Lubeh, known for their patriotic songs, were at the event, drawing a
young crowd who cheered as lead singer Igor Matvienko shouted "Hurrah
Sevastopol!" and "Success for you!" between songs. Samadova Viktorovna,
39, brought along her two children aged 11 and eight to the concert,
which was marked by a conspicuous police and security presence plus
plenty of alcohol. "It's magnificent -- look at how many people are
here," she said. "We have big hopes because there has not been order in
Ukraine for years." The square is a stone's throw from the waters
where Russian warships are stationed as part of the Black Sea Fleet -- a
constant reminder of Moscow's influence over the city, both past and
present. Sevastopol was founded by Catherine the Great of Russia in
1783 and has been home to the fleet -- a strategically crucial naval
unit which provides Moscow with access to the Mediterranean within a
day's sailing -- ever since. It was one of the Crimean War's main
battlegrounds and was rebuilt under Joseph Stalin after being destroyed
during World War II as German forces held the city under siege.
Sevastopol has a large majority of ethnic Russians among its 350,000
residents who yearn for Crimea to switch from being Ukrainian territory
to being part of Russia, as it was until 1954.
Congress leader Manishankar Aiyar attracted opposition BJP's ire today in Rajya Sabha when he said he was not interested in listening to speech of a BJP member on vote on account, prompting the Chair to adjourn the House amid uproar. During the Zero Hour, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien allowed Aiyar, who wanted to ask a question, to do so, which was opposed by BJP members. Kurien asked Aiyar whether he yielded to allow others to speak, to which he said he had no objection and he can ask his question later. As the House got ready to initiate discussion on Vote on Account, Kurien said, "Let us reduce the discussion to two hours from four hours," which was opposed by BJP members including Piyush Goyal who was given a chance to speak on Vote on Account. When it was agreed that discussion will take place as per schedule, Aiyar remarked he was not interested in listening to the speech by BJP member. "You had given me the chance to ask a question
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