Tiff between BJP, ruling parties mars proceedings in Bihar Council

PATNA: The Bihar Legislative Council witnessed uproarious scenes on Wednesday with opposition BJP and members of treasury bench staging demonstrations in the well of the House as proceedings were washed out.

As the House convened for the day, members of RJD, Congress and JD(U) came to the well seeking an apology from senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi for the party’s “uncharitable” remarks against Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and her RJD counterpart Lalu Prasad describing them as “dalals” (agents) of black money on last Monday. The BJP members then trailed them to the well protesting former Chief Minister Rabri Devi’s remarks against Sushil Modi on Tuesday.

Asked about Sushil Modi’s assertions on Tuesday that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar should walk out of alliance with Congress and RJD to fight against black money and corruption, Rabri Devi had said Modi should take Kumar to his home and get him married to his sister.

BJP leader Rajneesh Kumar had given an adjournment notice against Rabri Devi’s comment. Chairperson Awdesh Narayan Singh first adjourned the house till 1 PM when normalcy did not return to the House. Subsequently he extended the adjournment till 2 PM when the situation prevailed at that time.

Even after the all-party meeting convened by Chairperson during recess, things did not improve at the postlunch session after which the Chair adjourned the House till on Thursday. In the midst of din, Rabri Devi was heard saying the party would not allow restoration of normalcy in the House till Sushil Modi express apology for comments against Lalu Prasad and Sonia Gandhi. The members of rival parties latter staged protest in the Council premises and shouted slogans against each other.

Talking to reporters in his official chamber, Sushil Modi, who is also leader of opposition in the Upper House took potshots at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for participating in RJD Legislature party meeting on Tuesday even after “objectionable” comments from Rabri on him.

He refused to buy her defence that the comment was a “majak” (fun) and said it w as actually expression of anger against the CM for supporting demonetisation notwithstanding protest by allies RJD and Congress.