Ranchi: Proceedings in the Jharkhand Assembly were disrupted on Tuesday after opposition members protested against the state government over allegations of rising corruption and weakening law and order.
Soon after the House convened, legislators of the Bharatiya Janata Party moved to the well of the Assembly with posters and shouted slogans demanding a discussion on the issues.
The situation intensified when Nirmal Mahto from the All Jharkhand Students Union was asked to leave the House on the Speaker’s orders after a heated exchange during the debate. Marshals escorted him out, though he was later allowed to return after leaders from both sides intervened.
Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi accused the government of failing to control corruption and claimed that officials were allegedly demanding money for routine administrative work.
He also referred to several recent incidents, including the firing at labour union leaders in Dumka, an alleged incident involving police at the Rajrappa Temple, and complaints about the conduct of a Deputy Commissioner during a Women’s Day programme in Giridih.
Marandi criticised the government’s “Abua Sarkar” slogan, saying the administration was now functioning more like a “Babua Sarkar”, where bureaucrats were running the show.
He further alleged that criminals were operating fearlessly while officials were acting without restraint, and demanded that the Assembly hold a detailed debate on the situation before continuing with other legislative work.
Rejecting the allegations, Finance Minister Radha Krishna Kishore said the state government was firmly committed to maintaining law and order and had adopted a strict policy against corruption.
He asked the opposition to provide specific evidence of corruption, assuring that appropriate action would be taken if such cases were brought to the government’s notice.
Kishore also reminded members that Assembly discussions follow established procedures and that only issues approved by the Business Advisory Committee can be formally taken up.
Tensions rose further when a verbal confrontation broke out between Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu and MLA Nirmal Mahto. The Speaker, expressing displeasure over the situation, ordered Mahto to be removed from the House.
Later, following requests from opposition members and intervention by the Finance Minister, the MLA was permitted to return.
The confrontation led to prolonged disruption, with members from both sides standing face-to-face in the House, bringing proceedings to a standstill for some time.
With inputs from IANS