Lucknow: Samajwadi Party, Congress and BJP MLAs would strongly protest if they are subjected to frisking by the security personnel while entering the assembly tomorrow to take part in the proceedings of the House.

The security at the entry gates of the Vidhan Bhavan would be tightened and the members could be subjected to frisking if necessary, well placed sources here said. Vidhan Sabha Speaker Sukhdeo Rajbhar had told the members on Friday that they could be subjected to frisking after the SP members burst balloons in the House during the Governor's address to the joint sitting of the state legislature.

Chief Minister Mayawati had also expressed anguish at the incident and had reportedly summoned the DGP and other senior officials and directed them to strengthen security. Rajbhar had taken strong exception to the incident and directed the Home Department to investigate the matter. The Department has handed over the probe to IG, Lucknow, A K Jain.

Opposition parties have sharply criticised the move to frisk the members. "Subjecting the elected representative to frisking in the House is against their dignity as well as the dignity of the august House and the Samajwadi Party would not allow it," SP state unit president Shivpal Singh Yadav told reporters here.

"The opposition members were well within their right to oppose the government on the floor of the House and they cannot be subjected to frisking," he said. Congress legislature party leader Pramod Tewari also said that his party members would "strongly oppose if they are subjected to frisking".

"I hope that it (frisking) will not take place. If it does, we shall oppose it," Tewari told PTI. BJP has also decided to oppose frisking, party sources here said today.

Source : PTI