Cong, BJP fire broadsides over seer issue in Assy

Bhopal, Mar 12 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh Assembly today witnessed a fiery exchange between former Minister Govind Singh (Cong) and the ruling BJP over the issue of naming a government school, in Bhind district's Tola village, after a seer.

Raising the matter during Question Hour, Dr Singh expressed dissatisfaction over the government's reply, made several remarks about the regime and Rawatpura Sarkar Ravishankar and then tore documents relating to House proceedings.

Describing such behaviour as against parliamentary tradition, Speaker Ishwardas Rohani even warned the MLA and expunged seer-linked comments while saying, ''it is not proper to mention a person who is not a member of the House.'' Amidst a furore from the treasury benches, Dr Singh also lost his temper. Former Minister Gaurishankar Shejwar (BJP) demanded an apology but Mr Rohani quietened the House and felt that proceedings should go on.

''I announced the naming during a visit to Tola. The principal implemented the announcement, without proper permission, but there is no question of withdrawing the announcement. Related rules are being amended,'' said School Education Minister Narottam Mishra.

As Dr Singh repeated asked questions agitatedly, the Speaker urged him to be calm. ''Rules have been neglected but the government has the right to rectify its fault,'' felt Mr Rohani.

Meanwhile, Dr Singh made remarks regarding the seer and that sparked off objections from Cooperatives Minister Gopal Bhargava, Power Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya and many other legislators.

Expunging the objections, the Speaker said that the words of only those who spoke with prior permission would be placed on record.

Despite all this, Dr Singh kept speaking at the top of his voice and earned the warning. Several BJP MLAs felt that Dr Singh insulted the seer and should therefore apologise.

In his written reply, Mr Mishra said, ''action will be taken against those officials responsible for naming the school after a certain person. The District Collector, Bhind, has been issued a directive in this regard.'' UNI PKJ-AC 1355