Sting operation issue rocks Uttarakhand Assembly

DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand Assembly was adjourned repeatedly today after opposition BJP created a ruckus demanding a discussion over the issue of a sting operation reportedly involving a member of the ruling alliance claiming to topple the government.

On the first day of the winter session, the BJP members led by leader of opposition Ajay Bhatt stormed into the well of the House to seek a discussion from Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal under the rule 310 (adjournment motion) over BSP MLA Sarwat Karim Ansari.

When Kunjwal denied their demand, members of the opposition came in front of his chair while raising anti-government slogans.

Later, Bhatt, while speaking to reporters alleged that the Congress government was deliberately trying to evade discussion on the issue.

"If the ruling alliance does not want to hold a discussion under rule 310, it can alternatively be done under any other rule and the opposition was welcome to that," he said, adding a discussion was must.

Bhatt sought the immediate removal of the MLA from his post and demanded his suspension from the Assembly.

Meanwhile, BSP MLA, Sarwat Karim Ansari, termed the allegations as "baseless" and a "political conspiracy" against him.

He also negated the sting operation in which he is reportedly shown claiming that if he gets Rs 50 crore, he would "topple the government"

"I have not made any such claims as shown in the sting operation," he said.

The MLA from Manglaur city of Haridwar district, who also is the Chairman of the Uttarakhand Housing and Development Board, said that the sting operation appeared to be quite old and had the mention of the month of Ramadan.

Ansari urged Chief Minister Harish Rawat to conduct a high level enquiry in the matter and said that he would resign from his post if proven guilty.