Patna, March 29: Punches flew on the premises of the Bihar Legislative Council as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Niraj Kumar Singh 'Bablu' thrashed his party's MLC Lal Babu Prasad over allegations of improper behaviour with his wife and fellow MLC. The counter attack by Lal Babu was feeble in response to the fury of Niraj.

Niraj is an MLA from Chhatapur constituency in Supaul district while his wife Nutan Singh is an MLC from the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), a BJP ally. She has submitted a written complaint to Legislative Council chairman Awadhesh Narayan Singh.

The incident occurred around 3.45pm while the session was in progress and eyewitnesses told The Telegraph that the place of occurrence was the narrow corridor of the Legislative Council that leads to the Legislative Assembly.

"Nutan alleged improper behaviour by Lal Babu while she was climbing the staircase of the council portico to attend the session. She rang up her husband who was in the Assembly, narrated the incident, and purportedly threatened to commit suicide over the incident," a BJP legislator said.

Niraj came running from the Assembly, consoled his wife and started looking for Lal Babu. He was able to find him in the narrow corridor, and as per eyewitnesses, pounced on him, punching and slapping furiously. Lal Babu too gave it back while countering Niraj.

The MLA, while thrashing Lal Babu, was trying to drag him towards the chamber of the Council chairman. A few staff, guards and other persons rushed and separated the two legislators. BJP MLCs Rajnish Kumar (also the chief whip of the party in the council) and Dilip Kumar Jaiswal tried to pacify Niraj and his wife.

Later, Niraj, Nutan and Lal Babu were called to the Council chairman's chamber, where he enquired about the incident.

"The MLA and his wife have submitted a written complaint. I will take up the matter on Thursday," Awadhesh said while leaving the Council premises. The Council chairman has thrown a party for MLAs and MLCs of all parties at his official residence in the evening.

Lal Babu, while leaving the Council told reporters that the allegations were false. "I have not misbehaved with her (Nutan). My character is not like that. There must have been some misunderstanding."

Niraj did not respond to queries by reporters in person and over phone, while his wife also did not receive the calls. Sources said senior BJP leaders have gone into a huddle on how to resolve the issue, which may lead to expulsion of Lal Babu from the Upper House.

Awadhesh Narayan Singh had suspended Lal Babu for a day from the Council on Tuesday over alleged misbehaviour with prohibition, excise and registration minister Abdul Jalil Mastan while he was speaking on a "call-attention. The suspension was revoked after the complainant - Congress MLC and chief whip Dilip Kumar Chaudhary withdrew the complaint.