Chandigarh, December 18
The much awaited discussion on the law and order situation in the state could not take place in the Punjab Assembly today despite apparent readiness of both the ruling SAD-BJP combine and the Opposition Congress to hold discussion.

The bone of contention: What should take precedence, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s decision to make a statement or a discussion on law and order as demanded by the Congress? The result: The House witnessed three adjournments amid uproarious scenes.

Observers feel the SAD has warded off the debate on the contentious issue of law and order and scuttled attempts of a united Opposition that had arrived in full strength to pin down the government on the issue. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, however, denied this saying the treasury benches were ready to debate the issue but would not ignore procedure.

Immediately after question hour, CM Parkash Singh Badal got up to extend an explanation on the allegations concerning distribution of Rs 40 crore to the voters of his constituency Lambi just before the Assembly poll. Congress legislature party leader Sunil Jakhar got up in protest immediately, saying the House must debate the law and order situation first, as was agreed at a meeting of the business advisory committee yesterday.

Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal urged the Opposition to listen to the CM, saying the latter had the right to address the House as and when he wished. The Congress, however, refused to relent. The Speaker continued with the House business and five Bills were passed amid uproarious scenes during which Congress members jostled with the marshalls. This led to the first adjournment for 15minutes.

As the stalemate continued when the House reassembled, the Speaker again adjourned the House for one hour.