Kiran Mandal issue forces adjournment of Uttarakhand assembly

BJP today forced adjournment of the Uttarakhand Assembly for the second day by creating uproar over alleged horsetrading behind resignation of its MLA to pave the way for Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna's election.

As the zero hour began, the opposition members demanded a discussion on the resignation of BJP MLA Kiran Mandal. They alleged horsetrading and asserted that they would prove their charge if the discussion was held.

They also asked Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal to order a high-level inquiry into the incident.

However, when the Speaker rejected their demands, angry BJP members stormed the Well and raised anti-government slogans.

They said since the government was finding it difficult to explain the matter, it was shying away from any such a discussion.

Amid din, the government completed the listed legislative business within five minutes and the House was adjourned for the day.

Yesterday also, the opposition BJP disrupted the House on the same issue, leading to its adjournment for the day.

Mandal, who represented Sitarganj constituency, had handed over his resignation to Kunjwal after remaining underground for a week, apparently to facilitate Bahuguna's entry in the Assembly of which he is not a member.

Following Mandal's resignation, the strength of BJP has been reduced to 30 against the Congress tally of 32 in the 69-member House excluding a nominated member.