MP Assy Speaker anguished over challenge to chair

Bhopal, Mar 16 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Ishwardas Rohani today expressed anguish over a tendency of both ruling and opposition members to undermine the chair's directives and warned them to desist.

''It is highly objectionable to challenge the chair. Respect to the chair is expected from all members,'' Mr Rohani said while deprecating the tendency.

The comment came during discussion on a call attention notice over allotment of government land to Yoga expert Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust on the Narmada riverbank at Jabalpur.

Among others, Mr Ramlakhan Sharma (CPI-M) also protested the allotment and recalled the controversy that erupted after CPI-M Politburo Member Brinda Karat alleged the presence of ground bones in certain Ayurvedic medicines of the Trust. This triggered loud protest from the treasury benches with several members rising immediately.

As the Speaker directed expunging of certain remarks, Mr Sharma sought to challenge it alleging bias, forcing Mr Rohani to express displeasure.

At one stage, Mr Rohani pointed out that he was an elected Speaker and his ruling should not be challenged. However, he added that he introspected to correct himself.

Bonhomie was restored after Mr Sharma quoted a Kabir couplet to express respect to the chair and the Speaker also reiterated his commitment to upholding the dignity of the House.

UNI