Bihar Legislative Council Erupts in Chaos, Opposition Members Suspended
In a dramatic turn of events, opposition members were forcibly marshalled out of the Bihar Legislative Council on Tuesday and handed a one-day suspension on the direct orders of Chairperson Awadhesh Narain Singh. The session descended into turmoil as soon as proceedings commenced, with opposition legislators launching a fierce demand for apologies from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and a fellow MLC.
Demand for Apology Sparks Immediate Confrontation
The core of the dispute centered on allegations of disrespect directed at former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition, Rabri Devi. RJD chief whip in the Upper House, Abdul Bari Siddiqui, alongside other party members, rose from their seats to vocally express their profound concern over the perceived misconduct toward Rabri Devi. They pressed Chairperson Singh to intervene and take decisive action regarding the matter.
In response, Chairperson Singh informed the House that a committee had already been constituted to look into the issue and that a thorough investigation would follow. However, this assurance did little to quell the rising tempers.
Sloganeering and Heated Exchange Escalate Tensions
The situation intensified when RJD MLC Sunil Kumar Singh raised a parallel grievance. Following this, opposition members stormed into the well of the House, initiating loud sloganeering that brought legislative business to a grinding halt. The confrontation reached a boiling point with a direct, heated exchange between opposition MLC Sunil Singh and cabinet minister Ashok Chaudhary, with both accusing the other of employing unparliamentary language during the altercation.
Chairperson's Crackdown and Suspension Order
Faced with a complete disruption of proceedings, Chairperson Awadhesh Narain Singh issued a stern reprimand. “Anyone who tries to disturb the House, action will be taken. No one is allowed to speak during the question hour,” he declared emphatically.
Exercising his authority, Singh then directed marshals to physically evict the protesting opposition members from the council chamber. He subsequently announced their suspension from all legislative business for the remainder of the day.
List of Suspended Legislators and Aftermath
The suspended MLCs included a significant contingent from the RJD: Rabri Devi herself, Abdul Bari Siddiqui, Sunil Singh, Qari Sohaib, Ajay Kumar Singh, and Munni Devi. Shashi Yadav of the CPI(ML) Liberation was also suspended in the action.
With the opposition members removed, ruling party MLCs, including Dilip Jaiswal, Neeraj Kumar, Khalid Anwar, and Lallan Sarraf, seized the opportunity to urge the chairperson to take further disciplinary action. They specifically cited the conduct of opposition members, including Sunil Singh, for alleged disrespect toward the Chair during the chaotic proceedings.
The incident underscores the deepening political fissures within the Bihar legislature, turning a routine session into a spectacle of protest and disciplinary action.
