Chhattisgarh Assembly Suspends 30 Congress MLAs For Protesting CM Raman Singh's Investment Invite to 'Nirav Modi-Linked Firm'
The action was taken by the Speaker after Congress' legislature party leader Bhupesh Baghel demanded the suspension of business in the House to discuss the investment invite to Rio Tinto.
Raipur, Feb 19: All 30 MLAs of the Congress, along with two other Opposition legislators, were suspended by the Chhattisgarh assembly on Monday after they protested Chief Minister Raman Singh's invitation for investment extended to a mining firm linked to diamond czar Nirav Modi.
The MLAs attempted to derail the functioning of the House by protesting the CM's invitation to Metals & Mining Corporation Rio Tinto for investment in the state. Opposition alleged the firm is linked to Nirav Modi, accused in the Rs 11,400-crore financial scandal involving the Punjab National Bank.
Assembly Speaker Gaurishankar Agrawal earlier warned the Congress legislators against creating ruckus in the House over the issue, claiming that their protest "lacks substance".
The remarks of the Speaker came when Congress' legislature party leader Bhupesh Baghel demanded the suspension of business in the House to discuss the investment invite to Rio Tinto.
Agrawal, however, was quick to rebuke, saying that the apprehensions raised by the Opposition are based upon "imagination".
Reacting to the Speaker's response, the Opposition MLAs jumped into the well of the House and raised slogans against the government. This compelled Agrawal to order their suspension from the Assembly.
Speaking on the ruckus in the House, CM Raman Singh, while addressing reporters, said, "The issue raised by Congress is hypothetical. Whatever they dream in the night, they come to the assembly and raise it as an issue. In such a manner, the Assembly cannot function. If the Congress wants to debate, it should raise relevant issues."
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 19, 2018 07:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).