Speakers were mobbed, opinions and speaches were drowned in slogan-shouting and the `House' had to be adjourned amidst pandemonium as the noise levels became a clear match for parlimentarians' lung-power.

The issue that rocked the doctors' meet was the venue of the next IMA conference. Delhi tried to `hijack' the meet with the present secretary, Dr Prem Agarwal, making out a point that only in the national capital can voices of doctors be heard by parlimentarians and law-makers.

Delhi's move was met with stiff resistance with doctors from other states rushing to the `well' and mobbing Agarwal. Pandemonium prevailed for the next five minutes forcing Agarwal to withdraw Delhi'scandidature.

This created another problem with other IMA branches from Delhi questioning Agarwal's right to file a nomination and then withdraw it. With Delhi holding the mike at one end and other states, noticably Maharashtra, the other, bedlam broke out.

The presiding officer adjourned the meet for 10 minutes for doctors to bring their blood pressure to normal levels. But even as the House was adjourned, he put Pune's name to vote and asked doctors to raise their hands.

To the consternation of the presiding officer, there were more hands than the members present as some doctors raised both their arms in support. Over enthusiastic supporters even asked a few journalists to raise their hands.

Nainital was the other name in the running. But they lost heavily to Pune.

Senior doctors were aghast at the way the proceedings were held. Dr Gopal Kishen, president of IMA Hyderabad, pointed out that never in the 74-year history of the IMA has such a thing happened. ``This only shows where we (doctors) arenow,'' he said pleading for an urgent amendment to the Constitution of IMA so that the selection procedure of venues is not reduced to such a farce.

Other senior doctors hauled the IMA over the coals for gross financial irregularities. Quoting the auditors, they said fixed assets have vanished, money is vanishing faster and what has probably vanished the fastest is credibility among doctors.

Incidentally, the IMA meet was supposed to be a closed-door affair. But with mikes to amplify the murky proceedings, all the pow-wows in secrecy were available on the roads and adjacent colonies.

Another aspect that has raised eyebrows is how Delhi IMA lugged a captive press along for the conference. Without involving the local media, press conferences were `organised' at the drop of a hat where select doctors were allowed to air their views.