JAIPUR: The Opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly moved a no confidence motion against the Speaker, Sumitra Singh, on Thursday taking exception to her "obstinate and unyielding'' stance on the suspension of Congress MLA Raghuvir Singh Meena for the remainder of the Budget session over his confrontation with a ruling BJP member.

The stalemate over Mr. Meena's suspension following his refusal to tender an apology for his quarrel with Banshilal Khateek on Tuesday over the recent spate of attacks on Christians was continuing with the Congress members staging an indefinite dharna in the well of the House.

The Assembly's business was conducted on Thursday amid an uncontrolled uproar with three adjournments and repeated interruptions by the Congress MLAs who sat on the dharna throughout the night. Congress is demanding an unconditional withdrawal of Mr. Meena's suspension.

Attempts to work out a compromise failed in a series of parleys held since Wednesday night with the Speaker, ruling party and the Congress sticking to their respective stands. Ms. Singh affirmed that she would not allow Mr. Meena to attend the House unless he apologised in compliance with her ruling.

The no confidence motion, submitted to the Assembly Secretary after the House was adjourned for the day, had the signatures of 40 MLAs belonging to Congress, CPI(M), Lok Janshakti Party and Bahujan Samaj Party.

The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader and Leader of Opposition, Ramnarain Chaudhary, told reporters that the dharna in the well of the House would continue until the Opposition's demand for revocation of Mr. Meena's suspension was met. Mr. Chaudhary said he himself had expressed regret over the incident and had expected that the MLA's suspension would be restricted to a single day.

Mr. Meena had almost come to blows with Mr. Khateek when the latter made some abusive remarks against the entire Opposition during a debate on victimisation of Christians in the wake of a controversy over the contents of a book. Mr. Khateek later expressed regret over the use of offensive language.

Deputy Speaker Ramnarain Bishnoi suspended the question hour and adjourned the House thrice in an attempt to restore order, even as the parleys with the Speaker were continuing. The Congress MLAs raised slogans against both the BJP and the Speaker, alleging that they were stifling the voice of Opposition.

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