WikiLeaks revelations rock Gujarat assembly House

The opposition Congress on Wednesday disrupted the assembly proceedings with their demand for a discussion on the Wikileaks cables, which talk about big ticket corruption in the state.

As the House convened at 12 pm, Congress MLAs demanded a discussion on Wikileaks cables. The demand was rejected by speaker Ganpat Vasava, who said that it was Question Hour, and the assembly customs did not permit discussions on other issues during question hour
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The Congress members, however, stuck to their demand for a discussion on Wikileaks revelations. They chanted slogans describing Modi as Bhrashtachaari (corrupt person). The sloganeering continued for many minutes, disrupting the proceedings.

The speaker tried to calm the opposition saying he would give time to discuss the issue after Question Hour, but to no avail. With utter chaos in the assembly, the speaker adjourned the House till 1 pm.

The Congress members continued sloganeering outside the House. Armed with placards and banners, they severely criticised chief minister Narendra Modi and the BJP government for the spike in corruption.
Later, talking to media, leader of opposition, Shaktisinh Gohil attacked Modi and the BJP for selective quoting from Wikileaks cables.

"Chief minister Narendra Modi has reacted to Wikileaks revelations in a manner as if he has been given a certificate of being non-corrupt by US government. The BJP is trying to create an impression that the CM is incorruptible by selectively quoting from Wikileaks. They are conveniently ignoring cables which talk about big ticket corruption in Gujarat," Gohil told media.

The opposition also accused BJP of double standards.

"The BJP disrupted the parliament and did not allow it to function seeking a discussion over Wikileaks. If what they did in the parliament is right, then why is the BJP in Gujarat shying away from a discussion on the issue," he said.

Gohil alleged the BJP did not want any discussion on the issue in the assembly due to fears that the CM would be exposed.

Health minister and state government spokesperson, Jaynarayan Vyas, said the Congress could not bear the fact that US had praised Modi describing him as incorrupt politician and able administrator. He attacked the Congress saying it was trying to raise the issue in a bid to divert attention from the numerous scams it is involved in.

However, the aggression shown by the opposition earlier was nowhere to be seen when the assembly reconvened at 1.00 pm.
The Congress MLAs did not even raise the demand for a discussion on Wikileaks issue.

While the exact reason for the sudden behavioural change of the opposition is unknown, it is understood that the state Congress leadership got instructions from party higher-ups in Delhi asking them not to raise the Wikileaks issue. This is believed to be a fall-out of the agreement the two parties reached over the issue in Delhi. The House proceedings were normal for the rest of the day.