UP MLAs sworn in amid guards, gloom

Tight security arrangements and lack of enthusiasm among the Treasury and Opposition benches in the House marked the inaugural of the 14th Vidhan Sabha session in Uttar Pradesh today. While the gloom among the Samajwadi Party benches was understandable, a similar expression on the BJP side was surprising.

Recalling last year’s attack on the Parliament, even the MLAs’ vehicles were not allowed inside the Assembly complex. Even leaders like Congress legislature party chief Pramod Tiwari, who have Z-type security, were also asked to walk down to the Vidhan Sabha from the entrance of the complex, without their guards. The newly-elected members of

the House were sworn in at today’s session.

Tomorrow, the House is scheduled to elect the Speaker. While Kesari Nath Tripathi is likely to be BJP’s candidate for the post, following Mayawati’s announcement that the Speaker would be from BJP, the SP and Congress have not yet shown their cards.

Meanwhile, Tripathi’s was the only nomination filed for the post till 1200 hours today.