SP accuses BJP of showing disrespect to national song

Ruling SP today accused BJP members of showing disrespect to the national song "Vande Mataram" and contempt of the Chair on the first day of budget session of state Legislative Assembly.
Raising the point in the zero hour, Minister for Welfare of Handicapped Ambika Chaudhary said BJP MLAs blocked the passage leading to the Speaker Mata Prasad Pandey's chair on June 19 which amounted to contempt of the Chair.
The Minister also said that the saffron party members later stayed out of the House while the national song was being played, showing disrespect to it.
Terming the act condemnable, Chaudhary said the party which claims itself "to be the champion of national song have insulted it" and sought strict action against them.

Satish Mahana of BJP said his party had no intention of showing disrespect either to the Chair or the national song and had only wanted to express their views on important issues.
Mahana lashed out at the ruling party members asking if they and their supporters "would tell us what is right and what is wrong".

Heated exchanges ensued between the BJP and SP even as Congress MLA Pradip Mathur said no one has the sole right over the national song and questioned BJP's contribution in the independence struggle.
Radha Mohandas Agarwal of BJP asked the Speaker to take decision on the issue after going through the proceedings of the House to see who all "actually participate in rendering of the national song and who keep silent".

Later, Pandey reserved his verdict.