Itanagar, Mar 21 (UNI) The current session of Arunachal legislative assembly was cruising along well until the stale food served at lunch hour on March 19 played spoilsport on the legislators and mediapersons yesterday.

Several legislators from both the ruling and opposition benches took extra 'time-outs' during the important budget discussion.

A BJP legislator was even forced to abstain from the proceedings and restricted to bed rest for the day.

''I guess the stale food, particularly the mutton, is the culprit,'' he said.

Meanwhile, another legislator, while taking a second time-out explained ''Nature's call is more important''.

The complaints of media persons were no different.

''Working long hours to compile stories of the session became difficult due to food poisoning,'' said a senior journalist.

Two others added that they were 'observing fast' during the lunch hour yesterday at the same venue keeping in view Monday's sordid food experience.

However, the real culprit responsible for the unfortunate episode is yet to be determined.

The principal of Rajiv Gandhi Polytechnic College here, whose students helped in catering and serving food, said that his institute was in no way connected with the cooking.

''Our students only helped in serving the food out of goodwill,'' he said.

UNI