Guwahati, Feb. 24 -- For the first time Assam Assembly took to voting by ballot paper to decide the fate of a private member's resolution brought by Raijor Dal MLA Akhil Gogoi in the House on Friday.

The resolution was defeated by nine votes. The resolution was on the irrigation system.

Out of 77 MLAs in the BJP-led alliance, the government garnered 39 votes. 30 votes were polled in favour of the resolution from 47 opposition MLAs. Earlier, Speaker Biswajit Daimary declared the resolution as defeated in a voice vote.

Opposition members including Gogoi demanded voting as they claimed that the ruling party did not have the numbers.

The House was adjourned for 10 minutes to prepare for voting. When the House assembled again, the Speaker ...