MUMBAI, July 14: No business could be transacted in the Houses of the Maharashtra legislature today as irate Congress members demanded a discussion on Sunday's attack by Shiv Sainiks on the house of leaders of the Opposition, Chaggan Bhujbal and Madhukar Pichad. Both the Houses were adjourned for the day, following unruly scenes.

The Assembly witnessed drama with the Congress leaders having received a false alarm that Bhujbal's house was attacked once again, just minutes before the Assembly started. As soon as the Speaker of the Assembly Datta Nalawade had taken his seat, Madhukar Pichad, leader of the Opposition sought suspension of the Question Hour, and wanted an adjournment motion on Sunday's incident to be taken up.

``If you have the guts, let's discuss yesterday's incident,'' Pichad was heard saying even as the slogan shouting continued. Just then, Dilip Walse Patil of the Congress conveyed the message that Bhujbal's house had been attacked once again.

The look of horror on the faces of the Chief Minister and deputy Chief Minister said more than what the Opposition could have said. Congress members rushed out of their seats and most of them clambered on to the Speaker's podium before the Speaker could react. Ramprasad Bordikar (Congress) snatched the Speaker's mace and several members virtually gheraoed the speaker.

The House was adjourned for half an hour. The Opposition and journalists then trooped out of the House and headed for Bhujbal's house which is a stone's throw away from the Council Hall. It transpired that two vehicles, whose occupants were shouting slogans, were stopped outside Bhujbal's house by the police. There was no attack.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.