Uproar continues in Chhattisgarh assembly, 37 MLAs suspended

Members protest against state govt's alleged failure in providing security cover to its leaders in Darbha

While the Opposition Congress continued with its protest in the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly (CLA) on Tuesday, the House transacted all the businesses listed for the day hinting the early winding of the five-day monsoon session.

The Congress members created uproar in the House on the second consecutive day today in protest against the state government's alleged failure in providing security cover to its leaders in Darbha. In a Naxal ambush on May 25, key Congress leaders were killed when the convoy was passing through the Darbha ghats.

The opposition members put black dress and entered the House as a mark of protest. They however did not participate in any business and started raising slogans against the state government. The Speaker, Dharamlal Kaushik tried to pacify the opposition members. He however failed.

Kaushik asked the opposition members whether they would attend the proceedings. This charged the Congress members who alleged that they were in the House to attend the proceedings. The Speaker said that was not the cooperation needed and the members should allow the House to transact businesses.

The Congress members started raising slogan against the state government and chief minister Raman Singh, and trooped into the well of the House. Under section 250 (1) of the rules of CLA's procedure and conduct of business, during the sitting of House, no member shall leave his seat to enter the well of the House. The membership of such member who enters in the well of the House will be deemed suo motu suspended for a period as the Speaker might late decides.

The 37 members that included one from the Bahujan Samaj Party were suspended. The Speaker however did not declare the period of suspension. Amidst uproar and opposition members staging dharna on the floor of the House, important businesses were transacted. In just 20 minutes, eight important bills were introduced and passed in the House.

Since not much business had been left, the monsoon session that was scheduled to conclude on Friday might be winded up early. The Congress members had already announced to boycott the photograph session and farewell ceremony as this was the last session before the state goes to the poll in November.