Cong members suspended from Gujarat Assembly

GANDHINAGAR, FEB 23: All the Opposition Congress members, except a woman MLA, who were present during Gujarat Governor's address on the op...

GANDHINAGAR, FEB 23: All the Opposition Congress members, except a woman MLA, who were present during Gujarat Governor8217;s address on the opening day of the Budget session of state Assembly on Monday, were today suspended from the House for a varying period of time for disrupting the speech.

Three members 8212; Udesinh Baria, Khumansinh Chauhan and Subhash Shelat 8212; were suspended for a week for hurling khaki shorts and caps RSS uniform at the Governor S S Bhandari during his address.

Other Congress members, except Urvashi Devi, were suspended for period ranging from two to three days for disrupting the Governor8217;s address by exhibiting khaki shorts and caps and displaying placards respectively in the House. However, the Speaker did not announce their names.

The Congress later said it would move a motion in the House for removal of Speaker Dhirubhai Shah for his 8220;partial attitude8221; towards the party.

The motion to suspend the members was moved by the Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Mehta. It was put to vote by the Speaker and adopted by the House by voice vote.

In the 182-member Gujarat Assembly, the Congress has 56 MLAs.

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Amarsinh Chaudhary sought time from the Chair for the suspended members so as to allow them to explain their stand. However, the Speaker did not accede to his plea. Chaudhary, along with other Congress members, then staged a walkout in protest against the action.

Choudhary later alleged in a statement that the Speaker was 8220;prejudiced8221; against the Congress and his 8220;decision8221; to suspend party MLAs was taken 8220;at the instance of BJP-ruled Government and the RSS8221;.

Story continues below this ad

He alleged that the suspension motion was passed in a 8220;hurry and without much discussion8221;.

The Congress members, in protest against Gujarat Government8217;s recent decision to allow its employees to take part in RSS activities, had disrupted the Governor8217;s address by shouting slogans, displaying placards and throwing khaki shorts and black caps at him.