MP MLAs almost come to blows in state assembly over Vyapam
HOUSE ADJOURNED Oppn Congress MLAs were demanding the resignation of CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan over the scam
BHOPAL: Legislators of the ruling BJP and Congress almost came to blows in the Madhya Pradesh assembly premises on Tuesday after the House was adjourned for the second consecutive day amidst charges and countercharges on the Vyapam scam.
Demanding resignation of chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Congress MLAs said they wouldn’t allow the House’s business until he quit.
Immediately after censuring an advocate when the speaker set in motion the House proceedings, Congress MLAs rose from their seats demanding the CM’s resignation. The spar between the opposition and the ruling party went on for quite some time forcing the speaker to adjourn the House proceedings till 11.30.
Consequently, the question hour could not take place. When the House resumed the proceedings the Cong ress MLAs stormed the well of the House and started raising their demand again.
Parliamentary affairs minister Narottam Mishra brought a censure motion against the Opposition which was passed with voice vote.
Amidst the din the speaker chose to carry on the business of the day and adjourned the House proceedings for the day much before lunch time. Once Speaker Sitasharan Sharma announced the adjournment, Congress legislators came out of the House shouting slogans against the government on the Vyapam scam.
Very soon, the atmosphere tur ned tense with BJP and Congress legislators started pushing each other and almost came to blows. The entire episode lasted about 20 minutes.
At one point when the din was about to die, Congress MLA Sunderlal Tiwari started calling out for help (“bachao, bachao”) when BJP MLA Jaswant Singh Hada was seen holding him from the waist. While television and still cameras were focused on the MLAs they could be seen trying to out-shout and push each other.
Later, marshal intervened to separate the MLAs.
Congress MLA Rajneesh Singh fell on the ground amidst the melee. Later he said that he injured his leg and demanded that a medical test be conducted on him.
Later, the Speaker called Congress and BJP MLAs and legislative affairs minister Narottam Mishra in his chamber to find an end to the impasse.