GUWAHATI, Dec 18 ? Opposition Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC) members today walked out of Assam Assembly for the day in the wake of AGP member Dr Zoii Nath Sharma being expelled from the House on charges of ?showing disrespect to the Chair and democracy.? As soon as the House assembled at 9 a.m. today on the first day of the Winter Session, Opposition AGP members demanded a thorough discussion on the issue of anti-Bihari violence in the House by adjourning the Question Hour.
The AGP legislators Hitendra Nath Goswami requested the Chair for adjournment of the Question Hour to have a special discussion on the issue for the reason that the discussions on the anti-Bihari violence held both in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha did not reflect the ground realities here. The AGP legislator also observed that some of the observations made by certain members of both Houses of the Parliament during the discussion on the issue amounted to ?insult? on the people of Assam. He was supported by the Opposition leader Brindabon Goswami on this count.
However, the Speaker Prithbi Majhi declined to adjourn the Question Hour quoting the Rule 50 of the Rules of Procedure on conduct of business in the House. He stated that the Opposition members could very well raise the issue during the Zero Hour immediately after the Question Hour. However, it prompted the agitated AGP members to storm the well of the House in protest who started shouting slogans and displayed placards demanding adjournment of the Question Hour. They were also joined in the Well of the House by Opposition BJP and ASDC members.
In the melee, AGP legislator Dr Zoiinath Sharma snatched the Assembly Rules Book from the Speaker?s table and wrapped it in black cloth to register protest. The Speaker then adjourned the House for ten minutes. As soon as House resumed after the adjournment Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bharat Chandra Narah demanded stern action against AGP member Dr Zoiinath Sharma for showing disrespect to the Chair as well as to the democracy by wrapping the Rule Book in black cloth.
The Speaker than asked Dr Sharma to withdraw from the House for the day. It evoked sharp reaction from the AGP and ASDC members who walked out of the House for the day in protest.