Shirtless Congress MLA causes flutter in MP House

In a novel protest for release of water from a dam to his constituency, a Congress MLA today entered the Madhya Pradesh Assembly wearing only ‘dhoti’, causing flutter in the House which led to its adjournment as BJP and opposition parties squabbled over his act.

Ram Kishore Dogne, who represents Harda seat, entered the House during Zero Hour demanding that water be released from channels of Tawa dam to his area. Objecting to his act, the Treasury benches said Dogne’s behaviour is against the decorum of the House as women members were also present on floor.

Panchayat Minister Gopal Bhargava said the Assembly is known for its rich history and decency while the Legislative Affairs Minister Narottam Mishra said the MLA’s act was aimed only at grabbing headlines.

However, BSP MLA Usha Choudhary came out in defence of Dogne, saying that even Mahatma Gandhi wore dhoti throughout his life and freed India from the British rule. Congress MLA Ramniwas Rawat recalled that a former CPM member Ramlakhan Sharma had once came to the House wrapped in cloth below his waist.

Intervening into the matter, Speaker Sitaram Sharma said Dogne has come to the House with a problem. “This House is not for staging protest and please don’t bring Mahatma Gandhi into it and give example of the former member,” he added.

“Seek answers to mitigate people’s problems,” the Speaker told the members. However, members of BJP, Congress and BSP continued to trade charges and created a bedlam, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House for 10 minutes.

Dogne then met the Speaker in the latter’s chamber. Emerging from the meeting, Dogne told PTI that Speaker had assured him that he will talk to principal secretary of water resources department for the release of water from the dam. However, the MLA vowed that he will continue to be in the same attire till the work starts on ground on his demand.