Ruckus in House as Anil Vij, Kiran engage in arguments

Geetanjali Gayatri

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 4

A bit war of words was exchanged between the treasury benches and the Congress that marred the Question Hour as a face-off ensued between Health Minister Anil Vij and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Kiran Choudhry over an “objectionable comment” made by Vij against her.

Though the comment was later expunged and Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar expressed regret “if any word was hurtful,” but an unrelenting Vij refused to apologise that cost the House 38 minutes of the Question Hour when the proceedings of the Assembly opened today.

Trouble started soon after the House met when Vij, replying to a question about the poor condition of health centres in Bhiwani, said these would be repaired and that the BJP government was very conscious about equitable development across Haryana.

To this, Choudhry responded by saying that BJP’s constant talk of equitable development was nothing but hogwash and that her constituency was being ignored. “While a new ultrasound machine for the government hospital has been taken away, 75 per cent of the funds for a proposed medical college in Bhiwani was withdrawn. I have written to the Chief Minister too,” Choudhry said.

Maintaining that Choudhry was not abreast with the facts, Vij made an ‘objectionable comment’ against her, leading to protests by Congress MLAs as also Choudhry.

Going after Vij hammer and tongs, Choudhry said he should either tender an apology or the party would walkout and, later, bring a privilege motion against him.

Accusing him of using “unwarranted language” for a woman member, Choudhry remained adamant and demanded an apology. “We ignored the first time Vij made the comment, but he made it again to emphasise it,” she said even as Vij stated Choudhry was “misguiding the House on facts and no funds for the medical college had been withdrawn.”

Though Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ram Bilas Sharma and Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu tried to intervene, the Congress legislators insisted on an apology.

Taking a dig at the BJP, Choudhry said, “The party makes much noise about schemes such as ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao,’ but BJP leaders show such disrespect towards elected woman legislators.”

At this, Khattar stood up and explained that he had indeed got Choudhry’s letter and, “the ultrasound machine was taken back for want of infrastructure — there was no power connection and place to store it. The machine will be sent back in 15 days,” he said.

Later, Khattar said the “objectionable comments” were expunged from the proceedings and expressed regret over any words that might have hurt any member’s sentiments. It was only after this that the question hour resumed.