The Hindu : New Delhi News : Congress MLA assaults BJP chief whip

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Friday, Sep 14, 2007
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New Delhi

New Delhi

Congress MLA assaults BJP chief whip

Staff Reporter

Bhisham Sharma expelled for a day from Delhi Assembly

Ironically, Sharma had sought to target the Government led by his own party
Things took a turn for the worse when Sahib Singh Chauhan took a dig at Sharma

NEW DELHI: Close on the heels of violence in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, firebrand Congress MLA Bhisham Sharma was on Thursday expelled for a day from the Delhi Assembly by Speaker Prem Singh after he physically assaulted Bharatiya Janata Party Chief Whip Sahib Singh Chauhan in the House.

Ironically, Mr. Sharma got into a verbal altercation with the BJP MLA over an issue in which he had sought to target the Government led by his own party. The senior MLA had raised the issue of cancellation of the Signature Bridge over the Yamuna at Wazirabad to bring home the point that as the foundation stone of the bridge had been laid by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit herself and no work had been started as yet, the matter had brought great disrepute to the Delhi Government and the Congress Party.

Speaking during Special Mention under Rule 280, he sought an explanation on how the cost of the bridge had almost doubled from the initial amount of Rs.460 crore leading to the scrapping of the tender. While Mr. Sharma, who had some time ago resigned as Vice-Chairman of Delhi Jal Board to lodge his protest against the manner in which the Government was functioning, clearly sought to target Ms. Dikshit by raising this contentious issue, the issue was lapped up by the Opposition BJP members.

Mr. Chauhan while criticising the Delhi Government also took a dig at Mr. Sharma for gathering a large number of supporters during the public function to mark the launch of the project. This annoyed Mr. Sharma, who vehemently protested against Mr. Chauhan’s remarks. Though the Speaker assured that nothing would go on record, the banter between the two continued, even as some members like Kulwant Rana of the BJP chipped in to incite passions. Since Mr. Chauhan also did not stop ridiculing Mr. Sharma, the three-time MLA lost his cool and began threatening the BJP MLA who was sitting in the front row. Then Mr. Sharma did the unthinkable. He walked into the well of the House and went straight up to Mr. Chauhan, all the while daring him to come out and settle matters. On reaching near Mr. Chauhan, the Congress MLA – whose menacing walk to the other side was not halted by any of his party colleagues -- sprang a surprise by pushing Mr. Chauhan hard in the chest. The push made him fall on Delhi BJP president Harsh Vardhan who was sitting next to him.

BJP protest

The BJP members vociferously protested the assault and Mr. Chauhan sat in the well to demand justice. Mr. Sharma was ordered removed from the House by the Speaker who then adjourned the proceedings for 15 minutes to speak to all the political leaders.

During the meeting, BJP MLAs demanded that Mr. Sharma be expelled for the rest of the session. Though it was also suggested by BJP MLA Vijay Jolly that the Leader of the House, Ms. Dikshit, condemn the incident and assure such incidents would not be repeated, the Chief Minister appeared in no mood to stick her neck out for Mr. Sharma who wastes no opportunity to criticise her.

As such, the matter remained unresolved and the BJP members returned and sat with Mr. Chauhan in the well of the House. After one more adjournment, the House re-assembled briefly and during this period amid shouting of slogans by the BJP MLAs the Government quickly introduced the Delhi Fire Service Bill, 2007, the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Incredible India) Bed and Breakfast Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Bill, 2007, and the National Law School of Delhi University Bill, 2007.

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