Jaipur: Chaos erupted outside the Rajasthan Assembly in Jaipur on Monday after Congress workers staged a protest against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) minister Avinash Gehlot's 'dadi' remark. Police used water cannon to disperse the protesting Congress workers.
MPs Harish Meena and Murari Meena, former minister BD Kalla and several other senior leaders were among those taking part in the protest, reported PTI. Gehlot made controversial remarks against former prime minister Indira Gandhi last Friday. It triggered a huge row with Congress leaders staging a dharna in the assembly premises.
Visuals from Outside Rajasthan Assembly:
VIDEO | Rajasthan: Police use water cannon to disperse Congress workers protesting outside the Assembly in Jaipur.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 24, 2025
Congress workers staged a massive protest outside the Rajasthan assembly premises over state minister Avinash Gehlot's remark against former prime minister Indira… pic.twitter.com/LqFHVP8FAP
During the Question Hour on Friday, the minister for social welfare had pointed to the opposition and said, "In the 2023-24 budget of also, like always, you named the scheme (on working women's hostels) after your 'dadi' (grandmother) Indira Gandhi."
Earlier on Monday, the Rajasthan assembly witnessed repeated disruptions over Gehlot's remark and suspension of six Congress MLAs. The speaker asked the suspended members to leave the House but they continued with the protest following which the speaker adjourned the proceedings till 12 noon.
When the House reassembled at 12 noon, the Congress MLAs continued with the protest. The speaker again adjourned the proceedings till 1 pm and called marshals to evict the suspended MLAs from the House.
However, the suspended Congress MLAs refused to leave the House. When the House reassembled at 1 pm, similar scenes were witnessed following which chairperson Phool Singh adjourned the proceedings till 2 pm. The Congress MLAs have been holding a sit-in in the House since Friday evening.
The minister's remark triggered an uproar in the House, which led to three adjournments and the suspension of six Congress MLAs, including PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasara, Ramkesh Meena, Amin Kagzi, Jakir Hussain, and Sanjay Kumar.
Congress MLAs also staged a sit-in inside the assembly. The suspended MLAs spent the night in the Well of the Rajasthan Assembly as a protest after they were suspended from the House during the budget session on Friday. Along with the suspended MLAs their party colleagues also spent the night in the assembly.