The Rajasthan Assembly witnessed high drama on Tuesday as eight Congress and one Independent legislators were suspended for the remaining session after they protested against the police action on Congress workers protesting against the Land Acquisition Bill.
The House will now meet on March 9 when the Budget Estimates will be tabled by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.
Action began when Congress legislator Ashok Chandana, who is also the State Youth Congress president,walked into the Well of the House and showed the bruises on his body which he claimed he had received during the police lathi-charge outside the House where the Congress workers had gathered to protest against the land Bill. The protest was led by Pradesh Congress president Sachin Pilot who also received injuries along with a dozen other workers.
Agitated over the episode, the entire Opposition sought action against the erring policemen and a statement by the Home Minister. This happened just as the Chief Minister was to reply to the Governor's speech. However, repeated requests by Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria failed to pacify the Opposition following which Speaker Kailash Meghwal asked the Chief Whip Kalu Ram Gurjar to move a resolution for suspension.
Nine legislators, including one Independent, were named by the Speaker and asked to leave the House. When they refused to do so, marshals were summoned who escorted them out. This led to a furore in the House resulting in a 30-minute adjournment.
When the House met again, the entire Opposition boycotted the Chief Minister's reply saying the government had failed to create a conducive environment for the smooth functioning of the House. Leader of the Opposition Rameshwar Dudi said they would intensify the protest and raise the issue again on Monday.
Condemning the Opposition, Ms Raje said they should have heard her and allowed the House to function since the Treasury Benches had heard them patiently. She spelt out the achievements of her government in the past 14 months, including laying of 6,000 km of road, and enhanced funds and effective implementation of the Chief Minister's Free Drug and Diagnostic Scheme.
Earlier, the Speaker also said that the Opposition's behaviour was most irresponsible and the Home Minister said that no one would be allowed to violate law and if the Congress workers had taken law into their hands, police could not remain a mute spectator.
