Congress denies indecent remarks against BJP lawmakers
By IANSThursday, May 13, 2010
BHOPAL - Madhya Pradesh Congress Thursday refuted allegations that the party’s lawmakers have made indecent remarks against eight ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators, including a woman.
The alleged incident Wednesday has also angered assembly Speaker Ishwardas Rohani, who said it has dented his belief that the Madhya Pradesh house was the most dignified in the country.
“Humiliating women is not our culture,” Madhya Pradesh Congress Campaign Committee chairman Ajay Singh told IANS, while refuting the ruling BJP’s allegations.
Eight BJP legislators, including a woman, Wednesday levelled allegations that Congress assembly members passed indecent remarks against them and restrained them from entering the assembly building.
“The Congress has a different culture and Congressmen respect women in general. However, if for some reason any BJP woman legislator has felt humiliated, I will be the first person to apologise on behalf of the Congress lawmakers,” Singh said.
The stand-off between the ruling BJP and the main Opposition Congress comes in the backdrop of the on-going tussle over a special session of the state assembly. The Congress is boycotting the session called by the state government for discussing development issues.
Lalita Yadav, BJP legislator representing Bada Malhara constituency, told the house Wednesday that she was restrained from entering the assembly by Congress lawmakers, who also passed indecent remarks against her.
Amid high drama, Yadav broke down while narrating the incident in the house. Moved by her tale, Speaker Ishwardas Rohani also broke down and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his cabinet colleagues consoled him.
The house later passed a censure motion moved by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan against the Congress lawmakers allegedly involved in the incident.
Rohani told IANS Thursday that he has never witnessed such an indecent behaviour from a member of the house in his long political career.
“My belief that the Madhya Pradesh assembly was the most dignified in the country has suffered a major setback”, he added.
