United Opposition set the tone for rest of the Monsoon Session on the very first day on Friday. legislators from the Congress, the JMM and the JVM joined hands with Marxist-Coordination and few others and staged vociferous protest outside the House pitching in for a CBI probe into the malpractice allegedly having taken place during the June 11 Rajya Sabha poll.
Moments before the House was to resume after a long break since the Budget Session, the members sat on dharna at the entrance flaunting placards and banners in the support of their demand. The MlAs, while referring to the CD brought in public domain by JVM chief Babulal Marandi that reportedly contains video and audio clips related to pre-poll negotiations for the Rajya Sabha seat, persisted that the Government would have to come clean on the matter.
“There is enough material to initiate probe into the allegations. The Government should not hide behind anything and instead order a high-level investigation either by CBI or an SIT headed by a High Court judge. We would not tolerate any dilly-dallying from the Government and want an announcement during the Session,” said leader of Opposition Hemant Soren.
Similar expressions came from the Congress whose member Nirmala Devi was reportedly pressurised to skip voting in order to secure another seat for the BJP candidate.
"What has been done is not less than a grave crime. There is clear-cut evidence that interventions were made from the top level in the Government. As the Chief Minister is at the helm, the responsibility lies with him. He should step down pending a fair investigation," said State Congress president Sukhdeo Bhagat.
However, no definite reply came from the Government side. labour and Employment Minister Raj Paliwar presented a brave face which may even put the ruling BJP further in a spot. "Whatever has come out is unclear. Now a days doctoring with any electronic material is not very difficult. The matter should be probed thoroughly which would make everything clear," said Paliwar.
The bonhomie continued inside the House as well which met just for an hour on its inaugural day. While the treasury bench members confined themselves to political and social personalities who had passed away recently in their condolences, Opposition stretched itself to host of others who died in police custody and under suspicious circumstances.
"Condolence from the Government side should also come for dalits and tribals suffering due to police brutalities. Deaths of the likes of Rupesh Swansi and Umesh Kachchap put question mark over the system. I also express my deep condolences for these people," said Hemant Soren in his customary expression.
looking at the issues at hand with the Opposition and relatively shorter duration of the Session, it is less likely that normal business would be conducted in the next five days. The Business Advisory Committee of the Assembly met later in the day to finalise the programme which include tabling of 1st Supplementary Budget on July 25 and discussion on it for the next two days.