Amid high drama, the Rajasthan assembly was on Friday adjourned for the day after Bharatiya Janata Party legislators refused to lift their dharna, protesting against the suspension of two party members, and grappled with marshals trying to evict a suspended colleague. The commotion in the assembly left one Member of Legislative Assembly injured, even as three others complained of uneasiness.
As the overnight dharna by BJP members showed no signs of ending, acting leader of the Opposition G S Tiwari began an indefinite strike to protest the suspension of BJP members. BJP chief whip R S Rathore was suspended for one year and party MLA Hanuman Beliwal till the end of the current session for their 'unruly behaviour' and stalling the proceedings of The House.
As the House assembled for the day, Speaker Dipender Singh Shekhawat noticed that Rathore was present in the House and called the marshals to evict him. Scores of marshals jostled with BJP members who had encircled Rathore to prevent his eviction. In the melee, BJP MLA Bahadur Singh Koli got injured while Gulab Chand Kataria complained of chest pain. Koli received a minor injury in his finger and leg was moved to the lobby, while Kataria was hospitalised.
Two more MLAs, Shankar Singh Rawat and Vasudeo Devnani, also complained of uneasiness. After adjournment, they were shifted to the assembly dispensary. Shekhawat said a 'stranger' (Rathore) cannot stay in the House, and he should leave immediately. As the Opposition BJP MLAs, supported by Communist Party of India - Marxist and Janata Dal - United did not go back to their seats and raised anti-government slogans, the House was adjourned.
When the House re-assembled, the BJP MLAs continued their protest, seeking revocation of suspension of their party MLAs, and resignation of Home Minister Shanti Dhariwal for allegedly using threatening language.
As the din continued, the House was adjourned for the day. Expressing his serious concern over the developments, the Speaker told reporters that he had tried to resolve the deadlock, but the BJP leaders were adamant.
