Opposition Congress stalls proceedings of Himachal Vidhan Sabha

Tribune News Service
Shimla, August 3

The Opposition Congress on Tuesday stalled the proceedings of the Himachal Vidhan Sabha demanding a CBI probe into the death of BJP MP from Mandi Ram Swaroop, who had committed suicide in March this year.

The Congress MLAs demanded adjournment of the House under Rule 67 to demand the CBI probe. CLP leader Mukesh Agnihotri said people of the state and Mandi wanted to know the reason for the suicide by the MP at his residence in Delhi. They said it had been four months since his demise and there had been no progress in the investigation. They went to the Well of the House raising slogans.

Despite CM Jai Ram Thakur informing the House that his party was also concerned but was considering jurisdictional issues, and that Delhi Crime branch is investigating the suicide.

Thakur said he had assured the family of Ram Swaroop that he would go by their wishes. He said the future course of action could be decided after the investigation is over.

The CM said he had apprised his party high command of the issue; so far the MP’s family had demanded a probe and said in the media that he could not have committed suicide.

Dissatisfied by the CM’s reply, the Congrss legislators left the House.

Speaker Vipin Parmar rejected the notice for the adjournment motion given by Congress MLAs saying it did not qualify for debate under Rule 67. He said the manner in which Congress legislators were waving newspaper cuttings was against the rules.