Cong, BSP MLAs vent their ire in Uttarakhand Assembly

Dehra Dun, May 12 (UNI) Main opposition Congress and BSP parties vent their ire in the Uttarakhand Assembly today against the tabling of the controversial State Universities Bill 2008, resulting in scuffle with the Vidhan Sabha Secretary and uproar in the House.

The House was adjourned four times because of the opposition furore since morning.

When the work restarted at 1220 hrs, then just after five minutes, Leader of the Opposition Harak Singh Rawat tore the copy of the bill and threw it at the House Secretary.

Simultaneously, Congress and BSP MLAs came in front of his seat and snatched away the documents from his hands.

During the tussle, the Secretary's spectacles also fell on the floor.

The MLAs also broke the furniture in the House.

Everybody was shocked due to the tumultuous scenes in the House that made Speaker Harbans Kapur adjourn the House till 1500 hrs.

After the Speaker had left the House, the MLAs continued with their tirade and refused to take their seats. However, Marshals tried to pacify them, but in vain. This behaviour of the Opposition made the BJP MLAs also furious but Parliamentary Affairs minister Prakash Pant and Health Minister Ramesh Pokhariyal told them to maintain silence. However, they criticised the opposition's behaviour, calling it an 'unfortunate incident'.

Earlier, taking the BJP government to task for the deteriorating law and order situation, lack of drinking water and other impending issues, the Opposition MLas trooped to the well of the House, shouting slogans against it due to which the Speaker had to adjourn the House four times and Question hour was also not held.

After the two-month adjournment of the House, when the Speaker started the proceedings at 1100 hrs today, the Congress and BSP MLAs stood at their seats and demanded discussions on the issues under rule 310. Although Mr Kapur told them to wait after the Question Hour, the leaders continued to shout the slogans.

He told them to maintain decorum repeatedly, but when they did not, he postponed the hearing till 1130 hrs. Then adjournments continued till 1145 hrs, then 1200 hrs and 1220 hrs.

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