Bihar House fails to function due to BJP protest

BJP members wearing black ribbon on their mouth sat in the well from the beginning of the House proceedings

The Bihar Assembly today failed to operate smoothly in the first half as the Speaker was forced to adjourn the House due to BJP protest here.

BJP members wearing black ribbon on their mouth sat in the well from the beginning of the House proceeding to protest against the ruling party's alleged efforts to gag their voice.

Leader of Opposition Nand Kishore Yadav led the "maun" (silence) protest of the BJP members by sitting in the well.

The BJP members sat all around in the well including at entry points leading to seats of the chief minister and other ministers forcing them to take other route to their seats.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was not in the House as he is schedule to reach Patna in the afternoon from Delhi.

Even Assembly staff including its Secretary could not reach his chair as BJP members were sitting in the way.

The Opposition leader denied blocking ways and said since their number was overwhelming it took much space in the well.

Speaker Uday Narayan Choudhary took strong exception to BJP conduct and said some of its members were ringing customary House bell illegally. The bell is rung five minutes before start of the House proceedings to alert members.

Later, Leader of Opposition Nand Kishore Yadav told reporters in his chamber that they were protesting against the ruling party efforts to prevent opposition from raising their voice.

He referred to the incident on last sitting on Thursday when his mike was switched off when he rose to speak on police lathicharge on ABVP workers and also running of the House by the Speaker on that day in the second half even when he and other BJP members were in the well.

JD(U) Legislature party leader in Assembly and minister Vijay Chaudhary made a scathing attack at the BJP for the protest and alleged that they were indulging in "vandalism" to prevent the House to function.

He asked them to spell out clearly if they like some banned organisations (like Maoists) did not have faith in democracy and wished to snatch power on the barrel of guns.

Leader of RJD Legislature party Abdul Bari Siddiqui and his Congress counterpart Sadanand Singh echoed similar views.

When all efforts to bring normalcy failed, the Speaker adjourned the House till 2 pm.

He announced calling a meeting of Business Advisory Committee of the House immediately for smooth functioning.

The Opposition leader who attended the meeting after a lot of persuasion said the party would spell its strategy when the House reassembled for post-lunch session.