In a dramatic turn in the Gujarat Assembly 'ransacking issue', Speaker Ganpat Vasava ordered an FIR filed against 19 Congress MLAs for rioting and damaging public property to be withdrawn after they agreed to compensate for the damage.
"I want to make an important announcement. The violent incident which took place in the assembly premises led to an unharmonious situation between the ruling party and the opposition party.
"After conducting a through discussion with both the BJP and the Congress, they have agreed to support smooth proceedings in the state assembly and I have succeeded in bringing about an agreement between both the parties," Vasava said.
"The opposition Congress party has politely accepted to pay compensation for the damage done by its MLAs. Considering the great parliamentary traditions of this House, I order the FIR filed against the Congress MLAs to be withdrawn," Vasava said.
There were among 19 Congress MLAs against whom the FIR was filed by sergeants of the Assembly in Gandhinagar's Sector-7 police station for allegedly ransacking properties in lobby of the Gujarat Assembly on March 26.
Gujarat Assembly had witnessed ugly scenes on March 26, after opposition Congress MLAs wrecked havoc near the Speaker's cabin by breaking furniture and door panels to vent their anger against Deputy Speaker Atmaram Parmar as well as the BJP-led Gujarat state government after they were evicted from the Assembly.
The incident happened after the Leader of Opposition in the Gujarat Assembly and senior Congress leader Shankarsinh Vaghela alleged that his party was not given due time to speak and walked out of the House, which incited other Congress MLAs.
