BJP objects to Speaker’s remarks outside House, resolution criticising Opposition adopted

Shimla, August 30

Tampers got frayed in the Vidhan Sabha today as the BJP created a ruckus over some remarks made by Speaker Kuldeep Pathania outside the Assembly. Barsar MLA ID Lakhanpal through a Point of Order made a reference to the Speaker’s remarks made outside the Vidhan Sabha.

“I am holding a constitutional post but I have different responsibilities in and outside the House. I will never give an opportunity to anyone to object to what I say in the House. I stand by my choice of words,” Pathania said. “I have always acted in an impartial manner and given more opportunities to the Opposition to raise issues and the House record is a proof of this,” he added.

The Speaker said that he didn’t need to learn from anyone as to how the House should be conducted. “Barring Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar, all other members have entered the Assembly after me. The members should act as per the rules,” he added.

As the Speaker directed the members that the debate under Rule 130 on damage caused during the monsoon be resumed, the opposition MLAs started raising slogans. However, BJP’s Bharmour MLA Janak Raj refused to take part in the debate. Meanwhile, Congress MLAs started speaking, further annoying the BJP members, who walked out of the House.

Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said that Lakhanpal and other BJP legislators had only expressed their anguish over the Speaker’s remarks and had in no way insulted the Chair. Later, the BJP MLAs returned to the House wearing black badges but Pathania objected to their behaviour, citing Rule 318.

The House later adopted a resolution condemning the remarks made by the Opposition against the Speaker. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said that the issue raised by Lakhanpal did not relate to the House. “You have always been very neutral and liberal and have acted in an impartial manner. However, it does not mean that they can cast aspersions on your conduct and make remarks against the Speaker’s Chair,” said Chauhan.

The minister said the real pain and agony of the Opposition was that despite its ‘Operation Lotus’ the people of Himachal again expressed faith in the Congress. “The electorate has given a befitting reply to you and pre-empted your attempts to topple our government,” he added. Chauhan sought the cooperation of the Opposition in the development of the state.

“For the past few days since the session started, MLAs have given notices for discussions on important issues. Important questions are deliberately being placed right at the end of the list to avoid embarrassment to the government,” said Jai Ram Thakur while talking to mediapersons.