Date:18/02/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/02/18/stories/2005021805841100.htm

National

Congress MLAs "gatecrash" into Gujarat Assembly complex

By Our Special Correspondent

GANDHINAGAR, FEB. 17. The budget session of the Gujarat Assembly began here today on a stormy note with members of the opposition Congress taking out a tractor rally and "gate-crashing" into the Secretariat complex.

Protesting against the State Government's "apathy" to solve the problems of the farmers and the youths, the Congress MLAs came to the Secretariat complex, which houses Assembly building, on 11 tractors.

As the main gate was locked, they demanded to be allowed to enter the complex on their tractors but the police refused. They crashed into the gate, broke it down and drove on to the Assembly porch.

The Leader of the Opposition, Arjun Motvadia, criticised the security arrangements. He accused the Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, of "politicising" the problems of farmers.

Later, the Congress members attended the Governor, Nawal Kishore Sharma's inaugural address to the House. The Assembly was adjourned for the day after condoling the deaths of the former members and national leaders who died in the intervening period.