India, March 17 -- The Haryana assembly witnessed stormy scenes on Tuesday as a belligerent Congress stalled proceedings, alleging the "murder of democracy" following a high-drama Rajya Sabha election marked by cross-voting and technical disqualifications.

The House saw multiple adjournments and a final walkout by the Congress members after Speaker Harvinder Kalyan named eight opposition MLAs for persistent sloganeering. While the BJP's Sanjay Bhatia and Congress' Karamvir Singh Boudh secured the two vacant Rajya Sabha seats, the victory was preceded by a midnight showdown over vote secrecy.

The confrontation peaked during the post-lunch session at 2pm. As the Speaker attempted to begin a debate on budget estimates, Congress MLA Ashok K...