Stormy start to budget session; Oppn demands Maya''s scalp

Lucknow, Feb 4 (PTI) The budget session of the UttarPradesh Legislature began on a stormy note today with avociferous Opposition disrupting Governor B L Joshi''s addressto the joint sitting of the two Houses inviting a sharp rapfrom Chief Minister Mayawati for their act.

As soon as the proceedings started, oppositionmembers were on their feet chanting slogans against the BSPgovernment for what they said its failures on various frontsand demanded its immediate dismissal.

Carrying placards, they said the state government wasneck-deep in corruption and law and order had deteriorated inthe state.

Prices of essential commodities were sky-rocketingand atrocities were being perpetrated on women in the state,they chanted and asked the Governor to sack the government.

Some opposition members threw paper balls and troopedinto the Well as the Governor started reading his speech.

Samajwadi Party members, attired in black kurtas,also demanded immediate release of jailed MLA Raghuraj PratapSingh alias Raja Bhaiyya.

As the uproar continued, the Governor read only thefirst and last lines of his address before leaving.

Chief Minister Mayawati condemned the behaviour ofthe Opposition terming it as "unbecoming and uncalled for".

Their behaviour was a violation of Parliamentarytraditions, she told reporters. "I condemn their behaviour instrong terms."

On the Opposition''s demand for releasing independentMLA Raja Bhaiyya, she said he had a long criminal history.

Mayawati alleged the SP was a party of goons andmafias and this was the reason it was ousted from the power bythe people in 2007.

On the Opposition demanding her scalp, she said therewere less cases of harassment of women in UP than in otherstates.

Calling for sacking of the Mayawati government,Leader of the Opposition Shivpal Yadav told reporters: "Thereis total goondaraj (goons rule) in the state and the Governorshould immediately dismiss the government." PTI SAB RKC