SP stages noisy walkout in UP assembly

Lucknow, July 12 (UNI) The main Opposition Samajwadi Party today staged a noisy walkout in the Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly over ''political vendetta'' mounted by the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

A discussion on the prevailing drought-like situation in most parts of the state soon turned into a heated argument between the treasury and opposition benches during the Zero Hour.

Vishambar Singh Yadav (SP) raised the issue of farmers being on the brink of committing suicide due to lack of rains in Banda. He said authorities were continuing with revenue recovery despite scanty rainfalls. In his reply, State Irrigation minister Nasimuddin Siddique said perhaps the legislator had not been to the area as his claims were not based on facts.

This led to a heated exchange between BSP and SP members. Senior SP leader and former Parliamentary Affairs minister Md Azam Khan said the BSP government was indulging in political vendetta despite earlier assurances against it by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati.

When state Parliamentary Affairs minister Lalji Verma observed that the presence of Mr Khan in the house often disturbed the proceedings, angry SP members rushed to the Well of the house to register their protest.

After prolonged slogan shouting, SP members staged a noisy walkout of the proceedings of the house.

UNI