The Himachal Pradesh assembly today witnessed uproarious scenes as opposition BJP accused the state government of victimising panchayat pradhans and members for their political affiliations.
The ruckus started during the Question Hour when BJP MLAs interrupted Rural Development Minister Anil Sharma while he was replying to a question regarding details about panchayat representatives suspended from January 1 to July 31 this year.
Holding placards, BJP members alleged that Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) representatives were being victimised based on their political affiliations and claimed that a notification was issued seeking information about their allegiance with political parties.
Despite repeated assertions by the minister that no such notification had been issued, BJP continued with their protests and slogans. They did not relent even when the speaker asked opposition members not to display placards saying it was against the rules.
The speaker adjourned the house for 10 minutes, but BJP members did not return when the house reassembled.
Describing the protests as "pre-planned and unwarranted", Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said the fact that the BJP members came with placard was sufficient to prove their intentions.
