PATNA: The Legislative Council descended into chaos once again on Tuesday, triggered by a fierce dispute between senior JD(U) leader and minister Ashok Choudhary and RJD MLC Sunil Singh. The confrontation arose after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was accused of disrespectfully referring to former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Rabri Devi as “a girl” during a debate on the rising rape cases in the state.
Opposition members immediately demanded an apology from the Chief Minister after the session began. Although Chairman Awadhesh Narayan Singh tried to restore order, the Opposition refused to relent, escalating tensions further.
Clash between Members Leads to Disruption and Expulsion
What started as verbal disagreements swiftly escalated when Choudhary and Sunil Singh exchanged personal insults. The ruling party accused the RJD MLC of using foul language against the minister. Chaos intensified as Opposition members stormed the well of the House, shouting slogans and interrupting proceedings.
Faced with continuous disorder, Chairman Singh expelled the Opposition members for the rest of the day. He emphasized,
The decorum of the House will not be compromised,
and assured that the issue would be investigated with appropriate action taken in line with Supreme Court directives.
BJP Leader Condemns Verbal Abuse and Demands Inquiry
Bihar Industries Minister and BJP leader Dilip Jaiswal denounced the incident, highlighting that abusive language targeted a minister from the Dalit community. He termed the disruption
an insult to the temple of democracy
and called for a thorough examination of the video footage to hold the perpetrators accountable.
State Assembly Also Faces Unrest Over Rising Crime Concerns
The turmoil extended beyond the Council, spilling into the State Assembly, where Opposition parties protested the increasing rape incidents during the ongoing Budget Session. Their demonstration culminated in a walkout, further disrupting legislative functions.
Implications of the MLC Clash and Legislative Disruptions
This intense MLC clash in the Legislative Council highlights the growing friction between ruling and opposition parties amid sensitive social issues like crime against women. The exclusion of Opposition members underscores the challenge of maintaining decorum while addressing such public concerns. Moving forward, investigations and potential legal action may impact future Council sessions and set precedents for managing member conduct.
