Speaker-Oppn stand-off in MP Assembly

Bhopal, Nov 1 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh Assembly was today adjourned for the day amid uproaras senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh demanded immediate discussion on an adjournment notice on the ''attack'' on former Chief Minister Uma Bharti and sought to know whether the Speaker had powers to delay debate on it.

During zero hour, Mr Singh's poser led to a stand-off between Speaker Ishwardas Rohani and the opposition Congress with both sides flaunting rule books in support of their stand.

While pressing for immediate debate on the notice ''moved well in time before commencement of the sitting'', Mr Singh said the issue should be debated urgently as Ms Bharti had reported threat to her life three days before the attack during polling for the Assembly byelection in Malehra constituency in Chhatarpur district.

Though the Speaker initially ruled that the adjournment notice would be considered only after hearing the view of the government which had been informed of the matter, when the house reassembled after half an hour adjournment, he said debate on the admissibility of the notice would be held tomorrow.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also consented for the debate tomorrow.

Mr Singh stood the ground that the Speaker had no right to delay debate on an adjournment notice before ascertaining the government's view. Mr Rohani, however, said the Speaker's ruling cannot be challenged and cited six instances when adjournment notices were taken up after considerable delay during Mr Singh's tenure as Chief Minister.

Ignoring Mr Singh's attempt to clarify that his view was misunderstood, the Speaker disapproved Mr Singh's argument, leading to an uproar with the entire opposition on their feet and reaching the well of the house. The Speaker initially adjourned the sitting for half an hour.

When the house reassembled, the Speaker tried to rush through the business and got the business advisory committee report approved.

As Mr Singh again attempted to raise his point on the Speaker's power to delay debate, the Speaker read out the bills which got the Governor's permission. The opposition Congress members again reached the well of the house and raised slogans forcing the Speaker to adjourn the sitting till tomorrow.

UNI SP PR DS1450