Whosoever tries to tarnish House image should be tamed: Speaker

Ranchi, Mar 18 (UNI) Miffed at continuous disturbance in the House, Jharkhand Speaker Alamgir Alam today came down hard on the members saying the errant legislators would be subjected them to privilege motion.

''Not the legislators alone, action should be initiated firmly against newspapers and electronic channels as well, who make effort to doubt the very spirit of the House,'' Mr Alam said.

''Privilege motion can be moved against members who are bent on diminishing the prestige of legislature,'' Mr Alam said amidst din.

His warning came after the BJP-led Opposition strongly reacted to a Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader's remarks against the MLAs in context of coming Rajya Sabha polls in the state.

Earlier, criticising JMM leader Durga Soren, son of party president Sibu Soren, for his reported statement accusing the MLAs of indulging in ''horse trading'' in the March 26 RS polls, BJP's C P Singh said Chief Minister Madhu Koda should make it clear who was UPA's common candidate.

The Oposition members, then shouted anti-government slogans and displayed a copy of a newspaper quoting Soren's statement.

Opposition leader Arjun Munda said Mr Soren's statement had even doubted the integrity of the Assembly.

Mr Radhakrishna Kishore (JD-U) said the UPA had the support of 43 MLAs but it was yet to make consensus over a common candidate for the RS whereas NDA candidate had already filed the nomination.

Former Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari made the point that any move to tarnish the legislature should be dealt with strong hands.

The Chief Minister also expressed concern over some members' conduct in the House, adding that workshops were organised here recently to educate the MLAs about their duty and responsibilites.

Regarding UPA candidate for RS, Mr Koda said it would be sorted out within a day or two.

Dissatisfied with the Chief Minister's reply, the Opposition again created pandemonium and pooled at the well.

The Speaker also noted with concern that it was not for the first time that MLAs had to face criticism because their conduct.

Referring to a newspaper report, Mr Alam said the MLAs were even compared with ''dogs'' and termed it as extremely shameful.

UNI AM LL JT DB1909