UP Assembly budget session kicks off in pandemonium

Government to present full Budget for 2014-15 tomorrow

Uttar Pradesh Assembly got off to a stormy start on Thursday with opposition members cornering the Samajwadi Party government on the deteriorating law and order situation in the state.

Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), which has become a force to reckon with in UP after the sterling performance in the recent Lok Sabha polls, was at the forefront in attacking the Akhilesh Yadav dispensation.

BJP members trooped to the well of the house raising anti-government slogans. They were joined by Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Congress and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) legislators.

Earlier, they protested at the gallery leading to speaker Mata Prasad Pandey’s chair. He expressed displeasure over the manner of protest and even termed it as undemocratic.

The opposition demanded dismissal of the Yadav government over its alleged failure to control crimes in UP. The other issues raised by them included sugarcane arrears and dismal power situation.

BSP members led by Swamy Prasad Maurya sported blue caps and held placards written with anti-government messages and slogans. The speaker had to adjourn the house till 12:20 hrs.

Even after reassembly, bedlam persisted in the house with BJP members shouting anti-government slogans in the well, while BSP members stood atop benches and vociferous in protest.

Women legislators of BJP seemed determined to disrupt proceedings of the house on the law and order issue; even trying to reach the speaker’s chair. The house marshalls had tough time controlling them. Later, the house was adjourned for the day.

The assembly session is scheduled for legislative business between June 19 and July 18.

The government would present full Budget for 2014-15 on Friday. On February 21, the government had tabled interim budget of about Rs 2,59,848 crore for 2014-15 in the assembly.

Akhilesh Yadav, who also holds finance portfolio, had also presented vote on account of Rs 80,086 crore for Apr-July 2014-15 fiscal.