Cong walkout over leader's murder

Bhopal, Aug 1 (UNI) The main opposition Congress today staged a walkout in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly alleging that the BJP regime was not discussing the gunning down of a Congress leader in Damoh district's Batiyagarh area on July 29.

Raising the matter as soon as question hour concluded, Leader of the Opposition Jamuna Devi said, ''a certain political party's workers had a hand in the murder of Mr Narendra Shrivastav. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited Batiyagarh on July 28 under a jandarshan programme. Mr Shrivastav complained to him about corruption by certain persons who targeted Mr Shrivastav the following day.'' She pointed out that a related call attention notice was not taken up on the final day of the monsoon session.

''I cannot be compelled to do so,'' said Speaker Ishwardas Rohani and proceeded as per the agenda.

Congress members began speaking in unison on the issue, slammed the state's law and order situation and demanded an immediate discussion. Ultimately, Ms Devi announced the walkout.

UNI