Cong, BJP blame each other for 'killing democracy' in MP

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and Opposition Congress on Tuesday accused each other of "murdering democracy" by their behaviour in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly.

The BJP said the manner in which the Congress members staged a dharna outside the Speaker's chamber to prevent him from coming to the House and their later behaviour was a "blot on the fair name of Madhya Pradesh."

"The Congress murdered democracy and gave a bad name to Madhya Pradesh," Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan told the media after the House was adjourned. The Congress members insulted a tribal who was sitting in the Chair in the absence of the Speaker and this is "unpardonable," he said.

The chief minister said his government is ready for a discussion on any issue, but it should take place under the existing rules and procedures of the House. However, Leader of the Opposition Ajay Singh said the Congress cannot be charged with murdering the democracy and instead blamed the BJP for it. "Democracy is being murdered by the BJP which is steadfastly refusing to have a discussion on the issue of corruption inside the Assembly," Singh said.

Ajay said the Congress would never give up its demand for a discussion inside the House on the issue of corruption. "If seeking a debate on corruption was a crime then all of us are criminals," he said.

Deputy leader of Congress Legislature Party Choudhary Rakesh Singh Chaturvedi also said neither he nor any other member of his party had indulged in objectionable behaviour when Gyan Singh (the first member on Speaker's panel) was in the Speaker's chair.

Meanwhile, State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narottam Mishra and Industries Minister, Kailash Vijaywargiya also said the Congress adjournment motion notice was not accepted by Speaker Ishwardas Rohani as rules and procedures of the House did not permit it. They also demanded to cancel the membership of those who misbehaved with Gyan Singh.