Punjab Cong members continue to boycott Assembly proceedings

Protesting suspension of nine of its members last week, the opposition Congress continued to boycott proceedings of Punjab Assembly for the fourth consecutive day today.
The Congress MLAs held mock session outside the Assembly, drawing the ire of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who demanded an apology for their "abnormal" conduct.
On March 14, Nine Congress MLAs were suspended by Punjab Assembly Speaker Charanjeet Singh Atwal for the rest of budget session for unparliamentary behaviour.
Atwal had further said a case would be filed against six members for assaulting a cop on the previous day during ruckus by opposition alleging police raid on legislature party office.

Badal said the Congress members should tender an apology for their conduct of denigrating the chair, assaulting a public servant and bringing some unauthorised persons into the Assembly complex.
Alleging that the conduct of Congress MLAs is at the behest of their new party chief, Badal claimed the manner and behaviour of party legislature was also "praised by former PCC chief Amarinder Singh."

Badal also urged Speaker Atwal to send a messenger to Leader of Opposition Sunil Jakhar to request him to tender an apology and join the proceedings.
Atwal said the Congress members have violated rules and procedures of the House.

"They should maintain decorum and should not hold dharna, protests and mock assembly inside the Assembly complex. This is against the rules," he said.
Atwal said that he will talk to the Congress members to see what can be done to end the deadlock in the House, where the budget for 2013-14 is to be presented on March 20.
Leader of Opposition Jakhar said outside the Assembly that the government is behaving in an arrogant manner and is "intentionally not following norms of democracy."
"I had conveyed the sentiments of the CLP in the Assembly on Friday (March 15). Whatever happened (on last Wednesday) is unfortunate. The ball is now in their (government's) court."

A resolution adopted by the House later condemned the mock session run by Congress, terming it "undemocratic and unconstitutional".