LUCKNOW: With a new set of rules prohibiting legislators from carrying phones, political posters or flags in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly coming into force on Tuesday, Samajwadi Party members on the first day of the winter session wore black clothes as a mark of protest – with one MLA pasting anti-government slogans on his kurta.

While SP chief Akhilesh Yadav came wearing a white kurta-pajama paired with a black jacket, some of his party’s leaders were seen in black clothes from top to bottom.

The session of the state assembly is being conducted under new rules. It prohibits carrying mobile phones in the house, or carrying any flags and banners. The legislators attending Tuesday’s proceedings in the assembly were not seen carrying mobile phones or any flags or banners. The winter session of the state assembly began on Tuesday with the House paying tributes to sitting BJP MLA Ashutosh Tandon who died recently and other former members, before it was adjourned for the day. When asked about his party legislators’ clothes, Leader of Opposition Yadav said “this was a protest against the government.”

“This is our opposition to the new rules. This opposition should be registered as they (the government) want to weaken democracy,” Yadav said. “Rules are for strengthening democracy. After all, the public has elected us and sent us. It is our responsibility to raise questions on behalf of the public,” Yadav said.

“The new rules have been brought to stop the opposition from speaking vocally. This will weaken democracy,” he added.

Another senior SP leader Manoj Paras said, “BJP is destroying the democratic system. This House will last only for three days and the views of the members will remain unheard. That’s why we have come wearing black clothes in protest.” Baig, who came to the House on a bicycle, later told reporters, “The law and order situation in the state is bad but the government is still happy. This is our way of protesting.