BJP says it will take "drastic action" against Rajasthan rebels

The Bharatiya Janata Party leadership said it will take ''drastic action, including expulsion'' against party dissidents who shared the platform with Congress leaders in Rajasthan.

BJP vice-president Krishan Lal Sharma told journalists in Delhi on Wednesday that 115 legislators had voted in favour of the motion thanking the governnor out of an effective strength of 199 in the House.

''In spite of continued obstructions, rowdyism and unbecoming behaviour, our government has proved its majority on the floor of the House,'' Sharma said.

Since the government had proved its majority, the BJP leader said the issue of change of leadership should be set at rest the assembly should be allowed to function.

However, the Rajasthan assembly was adjourned on Tuesday till March 6 amidst pandemonium and unruly scenes leading to suspension of five legislators for three months.

The House was adjourned thrice before the final adjournment as unrelenting Opposition and dissident BJP members continued to thwart proceedings of the winter session for the third successive day.

Before adjourning the House, Speaker Shantilal Chaplot announced the adoption of vote of thanks on the governor's address by 115 votes in favour of the motion. Almost the entire Opposition gathered in the well of the House raising slogans as security personnel cordoned off the podium as well as the treasury benches.

The Speaker announced suspension of Jagdeep Dhankhar and Zuber Khan (Congress), Amara Ram (CPI-M, Bhanwar Lal Sharma (Janata Dal) and Gopi Chand Gujjar, the rebel BJP legislator, from the membership of the House for three months.