Opposition creates ruckus in House

GANDHINAGAR, July 20: The Opposition Congress members created a ruckus in the Assembly on Monday on the issue of rising prices and deteri...

GANDHINAGAR, July 20: The Opposition Congress members created a ruckus in the Assembly on Monday on the issue of rising prices and deteriorating law and order in the State forcing the Speaker to rush through the agenda and wind up the day’s proceedings.

As soon as the House reassembled after recess, Congress members, joined by RJP MLA Mansinh Chauhan and Independent member Usmangani Devdiwala, stood up and demanded that the BJP government make a statement on price rise of essential commodities and deteriorating law and order in the State.

However, unmindful of the Congress’ demand, Speaker Dhirubhai Shah asked BJP member Raman Bhatkar to continue the debate on budgetary demands of Home and Ports/Fisheries departments in the House. This did not deter the Opposition members who continued to disrupt proceedings by sticking to their demand.

This forced the Speaker to adjourn the House for ten minutes. As the House reassembled, the Congress members resorted to slogan shouting Sasta daru, mahenga tel, Keshubhai ke raaj mein‘ (cheap liquor and costly edible oil in the Keshubhai regime). When the Speaker warned them, the Opposition members, barring the Congress’ deputy leader and the chief whip, squatted in the well of the House and began chanting a Raam dhun‘. The Speaker asked the ministers concerned if they were prepared to table in the House the replies to the budgetary demands of their respective departments, to which they agreed.