Differences surface between RJD, Cong in Bihar Assembly

Fissures appeared in the Bihar grand alliance on Tuesday, with the RJD disrupting the question hour in the assembly over the death of children due to acute encephalitis syndrome (AES), but the Congress participating in the move.

The Congress said it was decided during the joint meeting of the two parties that the question hour should not be disturbed to help MLAs raise questions concerning their areas.

Legislators of the Congress did not join the Rashtriya Janata Dal members when they trooped into well of the House to demand the resignation of Health Minister Mangal Pandey over the death of over 150 children in Muzaffarpur and adjoining districts due to AES.

As the House assembled at 11 am for its business, the RJD continued to attack the ruling Janata Dal (United) even after the assembly had a debate on the issue a day ago, in which the health minister and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar spoke.

RJD leader Lalit Yadav demanded the resignation Pandey, holding him responsible for the children deaths
"I am also personally of the view that the question hour should not be disturbed," he said. "I don't know why, and in which circumstances, the question hour was disrupted."