Cong playing politics over Uma issue: Chouhan

Bhopal, Nov 1 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today blamed the Congress for playing politics the Bharatiya Jan Shakti President Uma Bharti issue and said the state government was prepared for a debate over the issue in the assembly.

''The government is ready for discussion over any issue related to public welfare but the Opposition must maintain the traditions and dignity of the House,'' Mr Chouhan told reporters at the Vidhan Sabha premises here.

Criticising the Congress' approach over the alleged attack on Ms Bharti in Chhatarpur district at the fag end of polling on October 30, he accused the Congress of breaking the traditions of the House.

''The House is run on rules and traditions. Every member must respect the Chair,'' Mr Chouhan said, citing the instance of murder of Likhiram Kanwre during the previous Digvijay Singh rule, when the Speaker had delayed the adjournment motion and the Opposition had accepted it.

Assuring that the state government will neither protect nor trap any one on the issue of attack on Ms Bharti, he described registering of FIR in the case as a routine procedure and said that after investigation, action will be taken against guilty persons.

On ''terror'' being spread by Ms Bharti in Malehra assembly constituency, Mr Chouhan said neither the government nor police were terrorised.

Earlier, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narottam Mishra alleged that the Congress wanted to avoid discussion on public welfare-related issues.

Citing several instances during the previous Digvijay Singh Government, including Preeti murder case, he said the House had delayed adjournment motion then and the then Opposition participated in the discussion according to rules and procedures.

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