Uttar Pradesh opposition party bursts black balloons in House

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Assembly yesterday witnessed a novel way of protest when the Samajwadi Party members burst black balloons on the floor of the House to register their protest against the governor's address.

Pandemonium prevailed in the House as the Samajwadi Party members began bursting balloons. Noisy scenes also put the security staff on the alert.

The Samajwadi Party members who have brought the black balloons into the Assembly threw them as Governor T.V. Rajeswar began to speak at the joint legislature. The governor left the House after reading the first and last lines of his address. Chief Minister Mayawati watched the drama with a shocked expression on her face.

Inquiry ordered

Speaker Sukhdeo Rajbhar has announced an inquiry into the bursting of balloon incident. He said that the Home Department would investigate into the incident.

The Samajwadi Party members took a strong exception to the order for frisking of legislators. Several instances proved that black flags have been shown to the governor, said the Samajwadi Party leader Ambika Choudhury.

Earlier in the day, as the governor began to read out his speech, the Samajwadi members stood up holding banners and placards, denouncing the government's role on the deteriorating law and order situation and non-payment of cane dues.

The chief minister also held a meeting with the senior officials and the Speaker and demanded to know how the Samajwadi Party members brought the balloons inside the Assembly. She warned that action would be taken if any such incident took place during the session.