Chattisgarh House proceedings stalled

By Our Staff Correspondent

RAIPUR, APRIL 19. The Proceedings of the House were stalled at least five times today, including during Question Hour, by the Bharatiya Janata Party members who demanded a debate on the alleged false affidavit filed by the Chief Minister, Mr. Ajit Jogi, in the petrol pump allotment case.

When the Speaker, Mr. R.P.Shukla, refused to take up the matter, the Opposition walked into the well of the House, waiving copies of the affidavit in which Mr. Jogi is alleged to have given wrong information about his income. Even as the Opposition shouted slogans demanding the Chief Minister's resignation, the ruling party carried out business despite the din. The matter was raised by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Nand Kumar Sai, during question hour who wanted the issue to be taken up as urgent business. In the ensuing melee, the Speaker had to adjourn the question hour.

The situation did not change even after five adjournments as the BJP seemed determined not to allow the House to function.

Talking to reporters later, Mr. Sai and his party colleague, Mr. Mahesh Tiwari, said he had obtained documents to show that Mr. Jogi had filed false information. He had not shown his wife's income. There was no mention of his agricultural land and a house in Indore which he had sold for Rs.9 lakhs in 1991.

Significantly, there was an enquiry into the allotment of petrol pump to Mr. Jogi following a complaint regarding the false affidavits by one Mr.Jai Kumar Vashisht. The enquiry had found the allegations against Mr. Jogi correct but Mr. Vashisht withdrew his complaint soon after Mr. Jogi surrendered the petrol

pump. ``It shows that there was some kind of a deal between the complainant and Mr. Jogi to hush up the case,'' Mr. Sai charged.

The BJP said they would not allow the House to function until the matter was taken up for discussion and that too after the Chief Minister resigns because his presence could influence the proceedings.

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