Himachal Assembly in session: Stalemate resolved, members agree to ensure smooth conduct of House

The deadlock in the Vidhan Sabha was finally resolved today with both treasury benches and opposition agreeing to ensure smooth conduct of the House so that public issues can be taken up during the monsoon session.

“We are willing to debate any issue raised by the Opposition, including discussion on the financial health of the state as we want the House to run smoothly with the cooperation of the Opposition,” said CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

The Chief Minister said the Speaker always had given more time to the Opposition which is the way it should be. “You gave opportunity to the LoP to raise the issue before the question hour when he spoke about snooping through drones. You have used your discretion to allow Opposition to raise their issues, at times even going against rules,” said Sukhu.

As soon as the proceedings began, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jai Ram Thakur through a Point of Order aired the grouse of the BJP legislators. He said it was not for the first time that such a deadlock had arisen and the Opposition alone cannot be blamed for it. “We have nothing personal against you but if one of our members raised the issue of sentiments of some MLAs being hurt by your remarks, you could have just said that it was not intended to hurt anybody’s sentiments since it was done in political situation,” said Thakur.

Thakur said any resolution introduced in the House by the Parliamentary Affairs Minister is a resolution of the entire House and not just ruling party. “At least we should have been given the right to place our viewpoint as the two issues of debate under Rule 67 on financial position of the state and Rule 130 got clubbed,” he said.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said as far as Rule 67 is concerned, neither the LoP nor MLA Vipin Parmar mentioned about Rule 67. “In fact, we had a discussion with the CM who had agreed to adjourn the business for the day and allow the debate under Rule 67 sought by the Opposition,” he said.

“Under Rule 130, debate initiated by the LoP was held under Rule 61, 62 and 63. A total of 10 resolutions have been taken up and eight were moved by the Opposition. It is wrong to say that issues being raised by Opposition are not being taken up in the House. In fact, our ruling party MLAs are complaining that their issues are not being listed,” Chauhan said.

Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri said these kinds of showdowns keep happening but the House must run smoothly. “Rajeev Bindal as Speaker had said that he was proud to be an RSS member and both he and Vipin Parmar as Speaker had actively campaigned in bypolls. Six Congress MLAs were suspended from the House and were booked under treason charges when you were CM,” said Agnihotri.

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi urged the Speaker to conduct the House as per rules. “Question hour must be taken up first of all without any disruption. In fact, we want that the question hour should be for two hours,” said Negi. There are times when we say some words which are not appropriate but then the House must run with your cooperation, he said.

Jai Ram given more time to raise issue

Speaker has always given more time to the Opposition, and that is the way it should be. You gave opportunity to LoP Jai Ram to raise the issue before the question hour when he spoke about snooping through drones. You have used your discretion to allow the Opposition to raise their issues, at times even going against the rules. — Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, CM