New Delhi, July 22 : All India Congress Committee General Secretary Rahul Gandhi said here today that energy security is very important if the country wants to eradicate poverty and the much publicised Indo-US civil nuclear deal is aimed at addressing to this problem.

In order to silence agitating opposition members in the Lok Shabha, Gandhi said, "I''m sure all members present in this room want poverty to be eradicated from the country. Energy security is a must to achieve that goal."

He even referred to a few poor households to make his point.

Gandhi began his address to the House by repeatedly pointing out, "I will speak here as an Indian first and not as a Congressman."

He even urged them to "please listen to him patiently" adding "it''s not that all of you agree to what I say but please listen to me before you try and shut me down".

While Gandhi was speaking, some Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) members stood up to protest against his remarks.

Even after repeated requests by Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, the members refused to comply. ANI)