Unique demo by Congress with lanterns

Bhopal, Mar 12: The Madhya Pradesh Assembly on Wednesday witnessed uproarious scenes with the treasury bench and opposition members raising slogans against each other after the Congress members displayed electronic lantern to highlight the power crisis in the state even as Speaker Ishwardas Rohani disallowed the censure motion sought to be moved against Leader of the Opposition Jamuna Devi.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also charged the opposition with disturbing the law and order situation on the pretext of power crisis, while the Congress members staged a walkout on the power issue. During Zero Hour, the opposition Congress members reached the well of the house holding high electronic lantern in their hand, while the Speaker ruled that nothing will go on record as the opposition had not sought prior permission. “The opposition's conduct was highly objectionable,” he said.

The slogan shouting members returned to their seats after the Speaker assured to allow Arif Aqeel to speak on the Berasia incident, wherein agitated people set ablaze the State Electricity Board office at Berasia near the state capital on Tuesday to protest erratic electricity supply during examinations. The opposition members also raised the issue of arrest warrant against a widow for power theft following which her son committed suicide. All of a sudden they brought out toy lanterns showing from their benches. The alleged that the power situation is getting poor across the state, but the Energy Minister Gauri Shankar Shejwar claimed situation was better. Initially, Aqueel sought discussion on an adjournment notice, but later agreed for a special discussion under section 139. Speaker also agreed to take up the matter at the next meeting of the business advisory committee.