BELGAUM: Unruly scenes marred the proceedings of the special session of the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday. Members of the Opposition hurled papers, the rule book of the House and reports of supplementary estimates in protest against what they termed the "rude remarks" made by members of the ruling coalition against Leader of the Opposition N. Dharam Singh when he sought the permission of Speaker Krishna for a debate on the concerns expressed by Governor T.N. Chaturvedi on the law and order situation in Bangalore.

When members of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Janata Dal (Secular) attempted to shout down Mr. Singh, members of the Opposition shouted back and staged a walkout.

Mr. Singh said the Speaker was continuing with the same attitude towards the Opposition that he had shown during the last session.

Members of ruling parties responded by saying that the people would teach the Congress a lesson if it did not conduct itself as a responsible Opposition party.

The Speaker, who was irritated by the defiant stand of the Opposition on several issues, told them to maintain decorum in the House as the people of the State were watching the proceedings on television.

JD(S) and BJP members alleged that the Opposition was showing utmost disrespect to the session by raking up issues not concerning the people of the State.

Later, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs M.P. Prakash held talks with Opposition leaders and sought their cooperation in conducting the House in a meaningful way.

Mr. Prakash expressed the regret over remarks made by some members against Mr. Singh. Such incidents would not bring any dignity to the House, he said and appealed to all members to maintain restraint on sensitive issues.

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