Govt running away from debate: AAP

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 25

Accusing the government of denying the Opposition the opportunity to speak in the first session of the newly formed Vidhan Sabha, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today demanded that the motion of thanks on Governor’s Address and debate on it be held on Tuesday.

It also alleged that all rules and regulations of the Assembly had been compromised as no question hour or zero hour had been scheduled in the four-day session.

Leader of Opposition HS Phoolka said AAP would move a call attention motion on Monday if the government did not accept their demand to hold the question hour. “Even a short question hour can be held,” he said.

The party, meanwhile, hopes for an early solution to the controversy over seating arrangements. “The Speaker has assured the issue of seating of the two MLAs of our alliance partner, the Lok Insaaf Party, would be resolved,” he said.

Flanked by party leaders Kanwar Sandhu, Gurmeet Singh Meet Heyer, Baljinder Kaur and Jagdev Singh, Phoolka said there were several issues which need to be taken up now. “The issues such as farm loan waiver, exorbitant school fee charged by private schools and disconnected water pumps in the rural areas need to be taken up on a priority,” he said.

Kanwar Sandhu sought the government’s attention towards the SYL issue. He demanded that the session be extended for three days.

Phoolka said: “We extend our full cooperation to the government on the SYL. If need be, we will sit on a dharna outside the PM office with the Congress.”

Takes on Capt over appointments

Criticising Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh for appointing an “army of advisers”, Phoolka said: “It is like a new bureaucracy and the burden is will be put on the state exchequer. Five of the 13 advisers have been given the Cabinet rank. If government includes these five in the list of limit of 18 ministers, AAP will have no objection to their appointment.”