Microphones, chairs and desks were thrown by the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly - their "protest" they say against a corrupt government.

When slippers were hurled at the Speaker on Wednesday, marshals or security guards evicted 17 Opposition MLAs.
Amid the chaos, Jyoti Singh, a woman MLC belonging to the Congress, threw several flower pots around. She claims she was manhandled by marshals.

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Patna:  The Bihar state assembly on Tuesday turned into a virtual battle ground as furious ruling and Opposition members clashed and threw chairs and tables at one another, leaving at least a dozen lawmakers from both sides injured.

The reason behind this unprecedented fight was the alleged Rs114.12 billion treasury scam in which Patna High Court has ordered a probe by India's premier investigating agency, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi and 45 others are accused in the case over which the Opposition parties have gone on the offensive and have been constantly demanding the resignation of the chief minister and his deputy pleading their continuation in office could influence and hamper the CBI probe.

Witnesses said the clash started after the Opposition members carrying placards in hands trooped into the well of the House and went on demanding resignation of the chief minister in view of the CBI inquiry into the alleged financial irregularities in execution of poverty alleviation schemes.

This enraged the ruling party members who also rushed into the well shouting slogans against price rise. Soon they engaged themselves in scuffles. Both sides then advanced towards the reporter's table ahead of the speaker's podium and started throwing chairs at each others. Some of members were seen turning the reporters' table upside down and throwing it on the rival members.

They also uprooted mikes and flung at their rivals. At least a dozen lawmakers were injured in the incident as the Speakers adjourned the House for the day.

In defence

Angry Opposition members then staged a sit-in in the well of the House. They will continue their stir until the Chief Minister tenders his resignation but Kumar has defended the ruling party's actions saying they did it in self defence. He also termed the Opposition's stir a "drama" to get media attention ahead of the assembly polls.

But a senior RJD leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan alleged the ruling party members were instigated by the Kumar to resort to violence. "But for our alertness, we could have been killed in the house", said Khan.