The Hindu : BJP calls off dharna, Jogi denies any `assurance'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 17, 2002

Other States

Other States - Chattisgarh

BJP calls off dharna, Jogi denies any `assurance'

RAIPUR JULY 16. Chhattisgarh BJP legislators called off their dharna in the Secretariat chamber of the Chief Minister, Ajit Jogi, saying the Government had given them ``assurance'' that the monsoon session of the Assembly would be convened soon. However, Mr. Jogi denied the opposition party's claims.

The BJP MLAs withdrew their dharna after "assurances" given by the State Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Rabindra Choubey, to call the monsoon session as soon as possible, the BJP state unit president, Lakhiram Agrawal, and the leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly, Nand Kumar Sai, told reporters.

After Mr. Choubey's assurance, the BJP legislature party held a meeting and decided to withdraw the dharna that started last evening, Mr. Agrawal said.

Mr. Jogi, however, denied that any assurance was given for convening the monsoon session of the Assembly.

Stating that the dharna had reflected the "priorities" of the party, he told reporters: "It is unfortunate that the BJP resorted to a dharna demanding convening of the Assembly session when the entire official machinery and people are working for farmers".

The BJP has accused Mr. Jogi of running away from any discussion over problems faced by people and "that is why he was not convening the session".

Mr. Sai also claimed that the Government has promised to release three party leaders - the Raipur party chief, Sachidanand Upasana, the district BJYM president, Sanjay Srivastav, and Arun Srivastav, who were arrested today by the police. - PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Other States

Stories in this Section

BJP calls off dharna, Jogi denies any `assurance'