Bihar Assembly boycott continues

Patna, Mar 19 (UNI) Boycott of Bihar Assembly proceedings by the Opposition, barring Samjawadi Party, continued for the seventh day today demanding withdrawal of a censure motion adopted in the House on March 12.

The censure motion was passed against some Opposition members who had snapped microphone wires and damaged furniture in the House to vent their anger over the failure of the state government to nab the culprits responsible for 'blowing-up' the residence of RJD MLA Kunti Devi with dynamites.

As the House assembled, BJP member Bhola Singh raised the issue of boycott by the Opposition and wondered why the deadlock continued to linger even when the Speaker had been assured by the state government that any decision he takes to end the crisis would be accepted. Initiative of the Speaker to mollify the Opposition to withdraw their boycott did not yield any result, he lamented.

''The House has no relevence without Opposition'' Mr Singh said adding the Speaker should direct the state government to withdraw the censure motion and clear the way for Opposition to attend the House.

'' How could the Opposition apologise for derogatory behaviour of some of its members in the House without partcipating in its proceedings?'' he asked.

Parliamentary Affairs minister Ramashray Prasad Singh said that the government was not responsible for the crisis as attempts were still on to break the deadlock. He renewed his appeal to the Opposition to withdraw their boycott and participate in proceedings of the House.

Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said that tendering apology in the House should not be made a prestige issue, saying neither the treasury bench nor the Opposition should protect the members responsible for indecent behaviour in the House.

He said that Mr Bhola Prasad Singh should take initiative to end the crisis if he was of the opinion that ruling party should take a lead in finding solution to the imbroglio. Mr Singh staged a walkout from the House saying he would do 'self-introspection' over the issue.

Speaker Udai Narain Chaudhary renewed his appeal to the Opposition saying debate on any issue could be held in the House.

He said that attempts were still being made to end the crisis.

Later, talking to reporters, leader of the Opposition in the House Ms Rabri Devi and other floor leaders of the Opposition parties criticised the statement of energy minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav regarding the charge on them about their bid to receive the allowance without participating in the proceedings of the House.

They said that the Opposition members were making attendance on register to prove that they came to attend the House but did not participate in its proceedings.

UNI