Opposition can’t digest beef issue

The Opposition today threatened to disrupt the Commonwealth Games if the government allowed beef to be served during the 12-day sporting extravaganza.

Leader of the opposition in Delhi Assembly V.K. Malhotra said the country would protest if the state failed to uphold the ‘law of the land’.

Malhotra was referring to a news report quoting Delhi chief secretary saying that beef, if imported during the games, will only be for sportsmen and delegates.

Malhotra said the Delhi Assembly had enacted a law in 1994 prohibiting the import, export, packaging and serving of beef in Delhi.

The BJP MLAs demanded a statement from CM Sheila Dikshit that the law of the land will be upheld.

The BJP MLAs got angry and staged a walk out when Dikshit said the BJP members were “communal-minded” and trying to gain political mileage.

Clarifying Mehta’s statement, Dikshit later said that the catering service contracts were being arranged by the Organising Committee and the issue is between the OC, the kitchen contractor and the MCD, which can give permission under the municipal laws.

“The matter does not concern the Delhi government. It should be raised in MCD,” Dikshit said.”