Following the unruly demonstration, mainly by the Samajwadi Party members, the Governor left the House without reading out his 71-page speech, just saying “Jai Hind” before walking out.

While the BJP boycotted the proceedings, the Congress members remained on their seats. The SP members started their protest after the Governor arrived in the House, two minutes ahead of the scheduled time at 11 am. They shouted anti-government slogans and waved black banners in protest against the murder of engineer Manoj Gupta and problems of farmers.

The marshals and the security staff had a tough time protecting the Governor from the volley of paper balls thrown by the SP members. The security men were seen grappling with the SP members as they trooped into the well of the House and stood up on the reporter’s tables.

While the Governor kept smiling all this while, he ducked just on time as a black banner flew past him. Rajeswar then just read the first and the last line of his address from which only the words “Jai Hind” were audible.

Chief Minister Mayawati and members on the Treasury benches watched the entire drama in silence.

Not content, the Opposition members later continued their protests outside the Assembly.

Talking to the media, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Lalji Verma said it was a black day for the Assembly when the Governor’s address was obstructed through undemocratic means. “The Opposition should have heard the address and later made its points against the government during the debate on the motion of thanks,” he said.

However, SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav defended his party’s action, saying the BSP government, through the Governor’s address, had tried to highlight its “fake” achievements.