Congress 'anti-Ram', claims Haryana CM as Opposition walks out of House

As the main opposition Congress walked out of the Legislative Assembly on Thursday over alleged violations of rules in allowing discussion on VB-G-RAM-G, CM Nayab Singh Saini alleged that “Congress is anti-Ram”.

“Ram is the soul of India. Ram is the culture of this country. Ram is the refuge of the poor. When a great calamity befalls the poor, they take refuge in him, taking his name...the main opposition party hates this name so much that it couldn't even hear it,” he said, adding that instead of engaging in productive discussions, the Opposition chose to mislead the public outside. A motion of censure should be adopted, he said.

The CM made the statement as BJP MLA Ram Kumar Kashyap moved a resolution under Rule 84 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, “that confusion prevailing regarding the provisions of 'Viksit Bharat G Ram G’ scheme among the public and rural labourers be discussed in the House.”

Earlier, the resolution was, “that the extension of the employment guarantee from 100 days to 125 days under the ‘Viksit Bharat G Ram G’ scheme be discussed." It was amended.

The Deputy Leader of the Congress Legislative Party, Aftab Ahmed, and Chief Whip Bharat Bhushan Batra, said in a joint statement, that the motion listed today under Rule 84 was amended and presented before the House in a manner that led Congress MLAs to boycott its introduction.

Batra told 'The Tribune', “A proposal listed under Rule 84 cannot be altered (amended) in such a fundamental way from its original form. The interpretation of the rules is paramount and governs the House's proceedings. When a proposal is not maintainable under the rules, discussion on it is also not legally permissible.”

Ahmed said, “This boycott was not an attempt to avoid discussion, but a decision taken to uphold parliamentary traditions and the dignity of the Business Rule Book.”

Batra further said, “Congress MLAs are prepared to discuss the issue in the House even today, provided the discussion is conducted within the framework of the Business Rules or during the Motion of Thanks on the Governor’s Address.”

He added, “MGNREGA law, passed unanimously by the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in 2005, is a historic and welfare-oriented legislation. Any attempt by the BJP to introduce a new law to remove Mahatma Gandhi’s name and alter the spirit of the original Act is against democratic values. The form in which the BJP seeks to hold the discussion is against the rules, unconstitutional, and illegal.”

Ministers Vipul Goel, Arvind Sharma, Krishan Lal Panwar, Shyam Singh Rana, and Mahipal Dhanda spoke on the motion.

On Wednesday, Congress leaders protested in Chandigarh against changes to the MGNREGA, and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda, four MPs, and Haryana Congress chief Rao Narender Singh were detained as well.

First row seat for INLD MLA

After the Congress walked out, Speaker Harvinder Kalyan allowed INLD MLA Arjun Chautala to sit in the first row for the remainder of the session on Thursday. Leader of INLD in the House, Aditya Devi Lal, meanwhile, continued to sit in the last row. BJP leaders had recommended to the Speaker that the INLD be allotted first-row seats.