The Hindu : Other States / Rajasthan News : Congress, BJP call truce over member's suspension

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Friday, Apr 01, 2005

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Congress, BJP call truce over member's suspension

By Our Special Correspondent

JAIPUR, MARCH 31 .The two-day long impasse in the Rajasthan Assembly over the suspension of an Opposition member from the House ended today after both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the Opposition reaching an agreement through negotiations. The Chief Minister, Vasundhara Raje, and the Leader of the Opposition, B.D. Kalla, offered the Assembly Speaker, Sumitra Singh "all cooperation'' in the smooth running of the House.

"The impasse in the House was totally unwarranted. The people of Rajasthan want their representatives to take up their issues in the Assembly,'' Ms.Raje told the members once the issue was settled. "It is for both the ruling party and the Opposition to ensure the smooth functioning of the House,'' she said seeking everyone's cooperation. "Let us not level personal allegations against anyone,'' she added. The Assembly, which witnessed three adjournments following disturbances during the question hour today, resumed its proceedings once the Treasury benches revoked the suspension of the Congress member, Sanyam Lodha, bringing a resolution.

On a reciprocal note, the Leader of the Opposition, B.D. Kalla, on behalf of his colleague, Mr.Lodha, tendered an apology for the latter's conduct in the House on Tuesday.

Mr.Lodha was suspended for the rest of the current session on Tuesday for displaying a banner in the House referring to the alleged "authoritarian attitude'' of the Speaker in response to a request from the Opposition for a discussion on the communal incident in Sojat town in Pali district.

The fact that the Opposition had given a notice to move a non-confidence motion against the Speaker the previous day, aggravated the situation.

"We need to create a conducive atmosphere for the smooth running of the House,'' Speaker, Sumitra Singh said addressing the members. "I have talked to the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. Both the sides are concerned about the developments,'' she said.

The Speaker said she would take strict action against anyone who disturbed the Leader of the Opposition when he spoke in the House. "All the members, especially those from the Opposition, should get a chance to express their views,'' Ms.Singh pointed out.

Mr.Kalla, reaffirming the Opposition's respect for the Chair, said the members had high regards for the Speaker and would continue to act keeping in mind the dignity of the post. However he pointed out that the ruling party members, including the Ministers and the Parliamentary Secretary were at times disturbing him while addressing the House.

"This should stop," he asserted.

Later the House took up the State Budget for the year 2005-06 with the Congress member, C.P. Joshi initiating the debate.

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Congress, BJP call truce over member's suspension