Chandigarh, January 16
The Opposition INLD today walked out of the Assembly more than once to underscore its demand for the resignation of Mr Randeep Singh Surjewala from the Haryana Cabinet.

The first walkout by the INLD took place as soon as the House met. It was, however, not in protest against Mr Surjewala’s continuation in the Ministry. The INLD had sought a statement from the government on an incident of atrocities against a Dalit family in the Bhuna police station area of Fatehabad district yesterday. The Speaker, Mr Raghubir Singh Kadiyan, did not entertain the INLD demand. He asked the INLD why it had not given any notice regarding its demand. In protest, the INLD legislators walked out of the House but returned after a while.

Later, the government did issue a statement on the subject, but since it was read out by Mr Surjewala, Parliamentary Affairs Minister, the INLD again staged a brief walkout. The statement said the FIR against the accused had been registered and efforts were on to nab them. It said the complainant had alleged that two houses were demolished and the occupants were beaten up by the accused.

The INLD members again walked out of the House when Mr Surjewala introduced a Bill to enhance the free-travel allowance of legislators to Rs 2 lakh per annum from Rs 1.25 lakh. The Bill was passed by voice vote.

Mr Surjewala, too, periodically turned the heat on the INLD legislators. On being provoked by INLD legislator Sita Ram’s allegation that his name had figured in the Volcker controversy, Mr Surjewala said the Opposition MLA had no moral authority to criticise him. Mr Surjewala claimed he had a CD showing Mr Sita Ram, in the company of sons of Mr Om Prakash Chautala, enjoying a performance by a dancing girl.

Mr Surjewala also refused to accept that because of poor health Mr Chautala could not attend any session of the present Assembly. He wondered how Mr Chautala could address workers’ meetings and rallies in various parts of the state.

He said Mr Chautala should resign since he was not able to represent his constituency in the Assembly. “People of the Rori constituency are being thoroughly under-represented in the Assembly because of Mr Chautala’s absence”, Mr Surjewala said. He added that if Mr Chautala resigned and sought re-election from Rori, he would get a taste of the popularity of the government headed by Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda.