The BJP on Wednesday came out in support of Congress MLA Chhani Sahu who was allegedly denied entry into the Chhattisgarh Assembly after she came on a two-wheeler, forcing Speaker Dr Charandas Mahant to intervene and let her attend the House.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs raised the issue of violation of privilege, saying the Khujji legislator was being denied entry into Assembly premises.
As proceedings of the budget session began, all the BJP MLAs stood up to raise the issue and sought the Speaker’s intervention.
They said the MLA had been denied entry by the Raipur Collector and the Superintendent of Police at the assembly gate.
Mungeli MLA Dharamjeet Singh said there was no rule regarding vehicles to be used by any MLA to enter the assembly. They have the option to arrive on bicycle or even by walking.
Speaker Mahant said a car pass had been given to the MLAs as per the rules of the assembly. Those on two wheelers were allowed entry through Gate No 1. If anyone wants to mess up with the provisions, then it cannot be endorsed, he said.
But with the disruptions continuing, the Speaker asked the Principal Secretary in the Assembly to resolve the issue and escort the MLA into the House. Minutes later, Chhani Sahu joined the assembly proceedings.
Chhani Sahu had on day one of the budget session travelled 162 km on a two-wheeler. She had put a sticker on the front identifying herself as ‘Congress woman MLA’ with a photograph of party leader Priyanka Gandhi which read: ‘I am a girl and I can fight.’
She was reportedly upset after the government booker her husband Chandu Sahu under the Atrocities Act. She had returned the official vehicle and the security cover in protest.