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Opposition walkout in M.P. Assembly

Staff Correspondent

Swearing-in of Shivraj as Chief Minister

BHOPAL: The entire Opposition led by the Leader of the Opposition, Jamuna Devi, staged a walkout in the State Assembly during zero hour on Monday morning voicing protest against the swearing-in of Shivraj Singh Chauhan as Chief Minister when there was already a court warrant against him in a case that was subsequently withdrawn.

Reacting to the Opposition protest, the Chief Minister later told The Hindu that withdrawal of such cases is a normal procedure when it comes to political parties.

He said the case in question was linked to an old protest by the Obaidullaganj girl students. The police had tried to suppress the students' agitation through the use of force, Mr. Chauhan said, adding that he was arrested and released when he too had joined their agitation as a Member of Parliament.

On the withdrawal of the case against him, Mr. Chauhan said the court had taken a decision and any comment on it would amount to contempt of court. He also said that he was not aware of any court warrant issued against him in this case when he had given an affidavit to the Election Commission while contesting the Lok Sabha election.

Talking to newspersons after the Opposition walkout, the State Minister for Public Relations, Panchayat and Rural Development, Narendra Singh Tomar, said that the Congress party is raising this issue only to remain in news otherwise the matter is very superficial. He said there is no reason to raise any hue and cry over the withdrawal of this case as cases have earlier been withdrawn against the former Chhatisgarh Chief Minister, Ajit Jogi, and ex-State Ministers, K.P. Singh and Arif Aqueel.

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Opposition walkout in M.P. Assembly

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