Opp strives to drag govt to gallows again

Leader of Opposition Azam Khan, who led the delegation, described Wednesday’s chaotic scenes in the Assembly as ‘‘a satire on democracy.’’ ‘‘The motion was defeated without giving any member a chance to speak on it. The Assembly was captured by anti-social elements within the BSP and the presiding officer conducted the business in a manner that favours the government,’’ he said.

Others linked the Assembly disturbances to Mayawati’s fears on cross-voting. ‘‘She claims she had the requisite numbers. Why, then, did her legislators create scenes in which conduct of business was almost impossible,’’ questioned senior Congress legislator Jagdambika Pal.

An unfazed Mayawati, however, blamed the Opposition for the events: ‘They knew that the no-confidence motion was not going to succeed. So they resorted to violence to save face.”

Before marching to the Raj Bhavan, SP leaders met their legislators and decided to step up the oust-Mayawati campaign. ‘‘We will decide our future strategy at the party’s national executive committee meeting beginning March 13. Nothing will be left to chance this time,’’ said senior SP legislator Ambika Chaudhary.

The Congress also decided to observe a protest day on March 12 at all district headquarters to highlight the ‘‘undemocratic’’ manner in which the motion was defeated.

While Opposition leaders have been breathing fire against the presiding officer, none have spoken out against Speaker Kesari Nath Tripathi. ‘‘We ended our dharna in the House at around 12.30 last night after the Speaker approached us. His gesture was enough indication that he was apologetic ,’’ Azam Khan said.

Meanwhile, the rumour mill is working overtime here about the existence of another tape which reportedly shows ‘‘several suitcases full of money’’ being loaded in an Ambassador and taken to the official aircraft of UP government. The tape then allegedly cuts to the suitcases being offloaded in Delhi, put into a Maruti van and taken to CM’s Humayun Road residence and from there put into the van again and taken to the bank!