The snub comes a day after an advertisement on the poor law and order situation by Unjha MLA Narain Patel had left the BJP red-faced. Meanwhile, opposition Congress leaders have praised the Speaker for even-handed behaviour.

The first incident occurred during Question Hour, when in response to a supplementary question, Panchayats and Civil Supplies Minister Narottam Patel had used the phrase ‘Ulta Chor Kotwal Ko Daante’. Bhatt intervened and asked the Minister to withdraw the phrase and threatened to expunge the remark from the records.

Bhatt also pulled up Revenue Minister Anandiben Patel for using similar words during the Budget discussion in the House. The Speaker also asked Urban Development Minister Nitin Patel for raising a similar point during the discussion.

In yet another instance during the Question Hour, Bhatt asked Minister of State (Rural Development) Jaswantsinh Bhabhor to maintain his focus on the subject, while answering a question on the Below Poverty Line (BPL) ration card holders in the state. The minister had blamed the incumbent UPA government for pruning the state's BPL list.