BJP demands sacking of minister who met Shahabuddin

BJP today created ruckus in the Bihar Assembly, demanding sacking of state minister Abdul Ghafoor for reportedly visiting Siwan jail to meet imprisoned RJD strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin on March 8.
As soon as proceedings of the Zero Hour began, Leader of Opposition Prem Kumar drew Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary's attention toward the issue and demanded that Ghafoor be sacked, saying it was "an act of impropriety by the minority welfare minister".
When the Speaker pay no heed to the issue, all BJP MLAs barring Kumar and Nandkishore Yadav, trooped into the well of the House and raised slogans against the minister and the Grand Alliance government.

BJP and its NDA allies RLSP, LJP and HAM protested
alleged deterioration in law and order situation in the state.
The same political drama was enacted in Legislative Council by rival parties in the well against.

Amid din, former Chief Minister Rabri Devi was heard seeking apology from BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi and state party chief and MLC Mangal Pandey for "uncharitable comment" of BJP members on Lalu Prasad and Sonia Gandhi ,failing which they would not allow the house to function.
After the adjournment of the Assembly, the agitating
members of ruling as well opposition parties continued with their protest outside the house.

Grand alliance parties gathered at the main gate of the Assembly and shouted slogans against BJP in support of their issues.
BJP members led by leader of opposition Prem Kumar sat on dharna in the Assembly lawn and shouted "Modi Modi".
Women legislators of RJD also sat separately in the lawn adjoining BJP members.
Later, Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav accompanied by senior party leader and Finance minister Abdul Bari Siddiqui and others criticized the PM on demonetisation.
Tejaswi told reporters that Lalu Prasad and RJD is not against drive against black money.
"We are protesting deaths of 70 people due to mismanagement in implementation of demonetisation," he said.

Tejaswi, who is also RJD Legislature party leader, criticised IT Amendment Bill brought in Parliament with provision of hefty tax penalty on disclosure of unaccounted money.
"This is an effort to convert black money into white," he alleged.
Senior BJP leader Prem Kumar told reporters that law and order situation has "deteriorated in Bihar due to presence of RJD in the alliance."
Congress MLA Shakeel Ahmad Khan said that the party legislators are protesting against uncharitable remarks by BJP members. They have called Sonia Gandhi, Lalu Prasad and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal as "dalal" (agents of black money), Khan said.

When the members gathered back in Assembly post-lunch, the same scene continued. Ruling as well opposition legislators raised slogans against each other at top of their voice.
Amid the din, the House passed two Bills including one on amendment in taxation in Motor Vehicle Act and another concerning street vendors.
Later, Speaker Vijay Kumar Chaudhary adjourned the House till tomorrow.
The Council was also adjourned for the day after it reassembled at 2 pm.