Opposition MLAs protest against the attack on contract teachers. Picture by Deepak Kumar

The ruling NDA went on the offensive on Friday by levelling a series of charges on the RJD and the LJP for “sponsoring” the contract teachers’ protest and trying to create anarchy in the state.

With the RJD MLAs staging a walkout and boycotting the House proceedings for the third consecutive day, it became a one-way traffic for the ruling party MLAs, who launched counterattacks by raising the issue of Special Investigating Team (SIT) findings on the attack made on the chief minister’s car in Khagaria, alleged extortion demand by an RJD MLA and the attack on the house of JD(U) MLA Ramdhani Singh in Rohtas allegedly at the behest of RJD-LJP local leaders.

In each case, the government assured prompt action.

As the House resumed business for the day, RJD MLAs stormed into the well of the House raising slogans in favour of adjournment of the House over the lathicharge on contract teachers.

JD(U) MLAs hit back by demanding action against those found guilty during the violence witnessed during the CM’s visit to Khagaria on September 27, 2012. They also waved a paper that had prints of a conversation between RJD MLA Dinesh Singh and a local contractor. The MLA had reportedly asked the contractor to come to the public works department guesthouse in Ara.

The JD(U) legislators alleged that the RJD MLA had demanded extortion money from the contractor. Soon, the RJD MLAs walked out, leaving the House free for the JD(U) MLAs.

Leader of the Opposition Abdul Bari Siddiqui described the charges made by JD(U) MLAs as a tactic to divert from the main issue on lathicharge on the teachers.

“The government has never responded so quickly when we raise issues in the House, as it did today,” he said, adding that his MLAs would hold a meeting on Saturday to decide if they should boycott the entire session.

“However, I do support Poonam Yadav’s demand for a CBI probe in the Khagaria violence,” he added.

During the zero hour, Khagaria MLA Poonam Yadav had raised the issue of the violence during the chief minister’s visit.

“The SIT has left some accused untouched. While action should be initiated against those found guilty by the SIT. The case should be reinvestigated by the CBI,” she said.