6 Rajasthan MLAs get suspended over row regarding remark on Indira Gandhi, to spend night in Assembly

While answering a question on hostels for working women, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Avinash Gehlot pointed to the members of the opposition and said, "In the 2023-24 budget also, like always, you named the scheme after your 'dadi'".

The comment triggered slogan-shouting and a demand for an apology by Congress MLAs.

Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully strongly objected to the minister's statement and asked whether he was referring to former PM Indira Gandhi.

He demanded that the statement be struck from the record as several Congress MLAs began sloganeering and heading towards the well.

Laxmangarh MLA and state Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasara went towards the  Assembly Secretary's table and demanded an apology from the minister.

The marshals of the Assembly and Congress MLAs also came face to face even as the opposition's allegations were countered strongly by BJP MLAs and ministers.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel insisted that there was nothing unparliamentary about the word 'dadi'.

Following this, the Assembly was adjourned thrice and six Congress MLAs were suspended for the remainder of the Budget session.

The suspended MLAs have now decided to spend the night in the well of the House and arrangements are being made for their bedding and dinner.