Uproar in Assembly over privilege motion on PIL by Deputy LoP Rathore

Jaipur: The Opposition BJP created uproar in the Assembly on Tuesday against the breach of privilege motion moved by independent legislator Sanyam Lodha against the filing of a PIL in the High Court over the resignation of 81 MLAs. Deputy Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore filed the PIL last month seeking direction to the Legislative Assembly Speaker to decide on the resignations given by MLAs of the ruling Congress party on September 25. Speaker CP Joshi allowed Sanyam Lodha to speak on the breach of privilege motion after the Zero Hour on Tuesday, a move opposed by Rathore. Irked by the interruption, the Speaker said he was conducting the house as per the rules and Rathore cannot dictate him. An argument between the both continued. "The house is run by the rules and not by your will. You cannot dictate me," Joshi told Rathore.

In September, 81 MLAs submitted their resignations while boycotting the Congress Legislature Party meeting called to decide on Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's successor. Seventy of these 81 MLAs are from Congress. They withdrew the resignations earlier this month. As Rathore and other members continued the uproar, the speaker asked him to read rule 157 of the procedure and conduct of the business of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly. The BJP members also stormed to the well briefly. When Rathore did not adhere to the Speaker, Joshi himself read the rule aloud. However, Rathore continued to oppose.