Din by Cong MLAs draws Speaker’s ire
The proceeding in Delhi Assembly were marred by frequent disruptions on Thursday, with the Congress MLAs openly refusing to obey the directions of Speaker Yoganand Shastri forcing him to remark that he had been “deeply hurt” by the events.
The no-holds-barred war of words between the Opposition and the ruling party MLAs was triggered when the Speaker directed education minister Arvinder Singh Lovely to inquire into the allegations levelled by the BJP during the Question Hour that the directorate of education had been pressurising teachers and principals to allow students to “cheat” in exams.
Mr Lovely shot back at the Speaker asking what should be inquired, after which the Congress MLAs, joined by ministers Kiran Walia and Raj Kumar Chouhan, indulged in slogan shouting.
The Speaker told the minister that the enquiry be held on the basis of the proofs to be submitted by BJP MLAs.
Chief minister Sheila Dikshit’s intervention with the remark that the BJP’s allegations are an insult to students and teachers caused pandemonium in the House.
The chief minister was countered by BJP leader Harsh Vardhan who accused her of indulging in “cheap politics”.
Meanwhile, Congress MLAs sought apology from the BJP for having “insulted” teachers.
Dr Shastri appeared visibly upset with the ruckus created by the ruling party MLAs. “It’s not a good thing. At least the ruling party MLAs should adhere to discipline,” Dr Shastri quipped at one time.
With no one paying any heed, Dr Shastri even warned that he could even expel ruling party members for their unruly behaviour.
At one time the Congress MLA Mukesh Sharma went on to introduce a motion to condemn the BJP in the House and himself called for a voice vote. Even Delhi health minister A.K. Walia pleaded with Dr Shastri to adopt the motion to condemn the BJP to which the Speaker asked him “under which rule” and ignored the demand.
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