UP Assembly adjourned following uproar by SP members

Lucknow, Feb 21 (PTI) The Uttar Pradesh Assembly wastoday adjourned during Question Hour following uproar bySamajwadi Party members, who demanded a debate on a billthat proposes indirect elections for mayors and chairmen ofurban local bodies.

Fearing that the Uttar Pardesh Urban Local SelfGovernment Bill could encourage horse trading and dominance ofmoney and muscle power in the urban local bodies, SP memberswanted suspension of the Question Hour and immediatediscussion on the proposed legislation.

As soon as the House met for the day, SP leader AmbikaChowdhury stood up and demanded a debate on the bill which hedescribed as a measure aimed at "finishing democracy" in localbody elections.

He was supported by party leader Azam Khan, who toodemanded immediate discussion.

Though Speaker Sukhdeo Rajbhar said he was ready totake up the matter during Zero Hour, adamant SP members jumpedinto the well raising slogans against Mayawati governmentleading to the adjournment of the House for 40 minutes.

As the SP members stayed put in the well, the entireQuestion Hour was a wash out.

Speaking to reporters later, BJP leader Om PrakashSingh said the SP had broken Opposition unity for personalgains.

"We are also against passage of the bill. BJP isholding demonstrations at all district headquarters today toregister its protest. SP should have acted unitedly," he said.

The bill, tabled on February 14, proposes indirectelections for mayors and chairmen of urban local bodies,including municipal corporations, nagar palika parishad andpanchayats by its members instead of direct elections.