The budget session of the UP legislature got off to a stormy start with the entire opposition disrupting the governor Rajeshwar's address.
The Uttar Pradesh (UP) assembly witnessed unseemly protests on Tuesday as Samajwadi Party (SP) legislators opposed the governor’s address on the opening day of the budget session.
The MLAs resorted to shameful tactics to thwart governor TV Rajeshwar’s address. They threw paper balls at him, waved black flags and shouted slogans, forcing him to leave without addressing.
Chief minister Mayawati termed the incident, which brought back memories of October 21, 1997, when legislators had indulged in “bloody” violence in the House, badly injuring several MLAs, “shameful and unfortunate”.
The governor’s address, which is traditionally prepared by the government of the day, extolled the Mayawati regime for maintaining law and order.
The hullabaloo started as soon as the House assembled at 11am. As soon as the governor stepped on the podium to read the speech, SP workers were on their feet. They hurled paper balls at the governor, some of which actually hit him despite best efforts by the Vidhan Sabha security to shield him.
SP MLAs had smuggled in black flags and banners with anti-government slogans on them. Kisan vyapari chadh gaye sooli, anam din par huyee wasooli, read one. Uttar Pradesh hua behaal, Mayawati huyee maala-maal, read another.
Things worsened when the MLAs trooped into the well of the House. Many stood on their tables, while others climbed atop the official desks of Vidhan Sabha reporters and other senior staff.
At one point, it seemed things might get ugly as the MLAs threatened to storm the speaker’s podium where the governor stood. However, Rajeshwar made a hasty exit averting another sordid chapter in the history of the House.
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