Third day of opposition walkout on Nandigram issue

Kolkata, Mar 20 (UNI) Throwing the entire house into utter chaos for the 3rd day today, the entire opposition comprising the Trinamool Congress, Congress and the SUCI, again staged a noisy walkout protesting against the speaker's stance on the Nandigram issue.

As soon as the house assembled for the day today, members of the Trinamool Congress, Congress and the SUCI trooped into the well and started shouting slogans, blowing whistles, ringing bells, as they prevented the proceedings during the question hour.

They did not allow Speaker Hasim Abdul Halim to conduct any business of the house.

Though some of the ruling party members tried to raise some questions and the minsiters concerned wanted to reply them, but nothing could be heard as the opposition members shouted at the top of their voice.

Menwhile, the entire Trinamool Congress bench staged a noisy walkout from the house demanding immediate resignation of the ''killer Chief Minister''.

Later, when the Speaker allowed Congress Chief Whip Manas Bhunia to speak in the subsequent zero hour, Mr Bhunia charged him with being biased and blamed him for not allowing the opposition to speak on the Nandigram massacre.

Refuting Dr Bhunia's allegation, Mr Halim said the opposition members were trying to influence the ongoing CBI inquiry.

Categorically denying that the opposition was not being given enough time to raise important issues, like the Nandigram carnage, he said the government had taken various steps to cool down the situation in Nandigram.

He also suggested that the opposition members could raise the issues in more constructive manner through adjournment motions and taking part in the question hour sessions.

Later, the speaker did not allow two adjournment motions brought by many Congress members on different issues because of their absence in the House.

UNI