Guv's address in Guj Assembly disrupted due to protest on flu

Opposition Congress MLAs covered their faces with medical masks as a sign of protest

In a stormy start to the Gujarat Assembly budget session today, State Governor O P Kohli had to cut short his address to the House owing to continuous protest and slogan shouting by Opposition Congress members demanding discussion on Swine Flu.

On the first day of the budget session when Kohli arrived here to deliver his speech, Congress MLAs covered their faces with medical masks as a sign of protest.

As the Governor started delivering his speech, they first started shouting slogans while sitting on their seats. Later, they stood up and intensified sloganeering.

They also threw papers in the direction of the Governor.

The Congress members continuously demanded discussion on swine flu saying that all other works should be taken up after the discussion on the viral disease.

They also shouted anti-government slogans saying that BJP government has failed to contain H1N1 in the state.

The Governor after reading his speech for about 15 minutes, put the rest of his speech on table to be deemed as read.

Acting Speaker Neema Acharya, who was on the chair as speaker Ganpat Vasava is down with Swine Flu and undergoing treatment in Surat, declared 15 minutes routine break after the Governor's speech.

Later when the House met, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Pradeesinh Jadeja demanded that action should be taken against Congress members who threw papers in the direction of the Governor.

Congress leader Shaiktisinh Gohil, however, opposed the move by saying that they wanted to raise an important issue as large number of people were dying of Swine Flu in the state.

He demanded that no action should be taken against their MLAs.

Acting Speaker Acharya, however said that she accepts the point raised by the ruling party and will take action against MLAs after viewing video footage.

So far, 207 people have died due to Swine Flu in the state and the number of positive cases has crossed 3000.