BJP MLA suspended from HP House for occupying Speaker's chair

BJP MLA Suresh Bharadwaj was today suspended from the Assembly for the rest of the winter session for occupying the Chair of the Himachal Pradesh Speaker, along with two of his party colleagues, with the Chief Minister terming his act as "reprehensible".
Along with Bharadwaj, senior BJP MLAs Rajiv Bindal and Randhir Sharma were suspended for approaching the podium.
Ruckus broke-out as soon as the Assembly met today, with BJP objecting to "shifting of some business of the House in yesterday's agenda for today".
BJP MLAs raised strong objection after the discussion on demonetisation, listed for yesterday, was not taken up then and included in today's agenda. They disrupted the House proceedings claiming it is not in conformity with rules.

The Speaker adjourned the House for 15 minutes to sort out the matter. When the House reconvened, he found Bharadwaj occupying his chair.
After making some remarks, Bharadwaj vacated the chair and BJP members staged a walkout.

The Chief Minister took strong exception to the incident and said the act of the BJP member was "reprehensible".
Later Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Agnihotri moved a motion seeking suspension of Suresh Bharadwaj, Randhir Sharma and Rajiv Bindal for rest of the winter session, which concludes on December 23, for contempt of the House and the Chair.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition P K Dhumal accused the Speaker ofnot conducting the business of the House as per rules.

BJP MLAs in a meeting after today's session was adjourned decided to bring a no-confidence motion against the Speaker and gave a notice to the Assembly Secretary in this regard.
Dhumal said the notice for removal of the Speaker has been given under Rule 274 and signed by 25 MLAs.
The winter session, which started on a stormy note on Monday, continued to witness noisy scenes and some business was conducted today in the absence of Opposition BJP members.