Noisy scenes in Gujarat House after withdrawal of RSS order

Leader of the Opposition Amarsinh Chaudhary, who initiated the debate on budgetary demands of the general administration and information departments, sought resignation of the Government on the circular issue and said it had bowed to pressure from the Central Government, which was facing a tough posture from its constituents.

He said if the circular had not been withdrawn the Vajpayee Government would have collapsed. Heated exchanges were witnessed between the treasury benches and Opposition members when the latter repeatedly raised the circular issue.

Finance Minister Vajubhai Vala, who tried to reply to the debate, could not be heard in the din. However, Chauhan and Baria went on raising slogans and demanded Vala’s resignation. Speaker Dhirubhai Shah asked the agitated members to take their seats, but the noisy scenes continued for some time. Chaudhary criticised the BJP leaders for claiming that the circular had been withdrawn in national interest. "It was done for protecting the Central Government and allowing it to survive and there was selfish interest involved," he alleged.

BJP member, Gordhanbhai Jadapia, however, defended the Government on the withdrawal of the circular and said that it was done in the national interest and flayed the Opposition for making a issue of the withdrawal.