NEW DELHI: Parliament on Tuesday approved the extension of President's Rule in Bihar by another six months. The National Democratic Alliance-led Opposition staged a walkout in the Lok Sabha, which adopted the resolution by voice vote.

After a marathon debate, the House also rejected the Opposition-sponsored motion expressing concern over the deteriorating law and order in Bihar under President's Rule and the situation arising out of the Chief Secretary going on long leave.

The motion, moved by Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar, was defeated with 172 votes against it and 100 in favour of it. There were three abstentions. This was the first division on any motion discussed by the 14th Lok Sabha.

The statutory resolution moved by Home Minister Shivraj Patil, seeking approval for continuation of the March 7 Proclamation of President's rule beyond September 6, received the assent of the House. The Rajya Sabha gave its approval on Monday.

Leader of the Opposition L.K. Advani led the walkout, saying the move would add to the long list of instances of Central rule "wrongly imposed."

Earlier, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee put Mr. Kumar's motion to vote abruptly, ending a procedural wrangle. The Opposition insisted that Mr. Patil table the communication, which complained of "horse-trading" in Bihar. Mr. Advani, who initially advised Mr. Patil to place the letter on the table, said the Minister should not have referred to an unverified communication. He echoed the Chair's observation that the motion under Rule 184 be put to vote without further discussion.

The debate lasted over six-and-half hours. At one point, when a BJP member insisted on reading the relevant rules even after a ruling, Mr. Chatterjee said his act was a deliberate insult to the Chair.

Patil defends Buta Singh

The Home Minister defended the Governor's recommendation to dissolve the Assembly on the ground that no stable government could be formed. "Do not doubt the intention of the Government of India or the Governor. The Governor "waited, and waited and waited but nothing happened." It was only when there were reports that some individuals were being weaned "with allurements" away from the parties on whose ticket they won, did the Governor arrive at the conclusion that things were going in the wrong direction.

The Governor wrote two letters to the Centre. "We wanted some parties to come together... we have allowed it [Government] to be formed in the adjoining State [Jharkhand]. How can you forget it... ?"

Governor's approach

On the Governor's approach to government formation, Mr. Patil said even though Rashtriya Janata Dal, a UPA ally, staked claim, Mr. Singh took the "bitter decision" of not allowing it to form government. For, he did not consider the exercise viable.

On President's rule, Mr. Patil said the Election Commission ruled out holding elections between June and September.

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