Remarks on Kangana spark outrage in Himachal Assembly

Pacifying both treasury and opposition benches over a verbal spat between Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur and Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi in the House on Thursday, Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kuldeep Pathania said the remarks would be expunged.

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Raising a Point of Order, Sulah MLA Vipin Parmar said indecent remarks were being made by the Revenue Minister against the LoP and he had insulted women of the entire state by commenting on Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut.

He said the Chief Minister should have intervened and not remained silent on such remarks.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said when heated exchanges take place, there is bound to be retaliation, so there is a need for the opposition MLAs to exercise restraint.

“People are watching the assembly proceedings, so each one of us must act responsibly. Even the LoP had made objectionable remarks against the revenue minister,” said the CM.

Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jai Ram Thakur said the House should be run as per rules. “Why is everyone saying that I keep getting angry as I am merely performing my duty of LoP like Mukesh Agnihotri did while in opposition,” the former CM said, adding, “Does the opposition not have the right to ask questions? The CM should intervene when such an ugly spat takes place.”

Responding to the issue, the Revenue Minister said the House runs as per rules. “When you have given me a chance to speak why were they intervening repeatedly as rules are the same for everyone. The LoP also used the same language against me,” he said. “The people of Himachal are watching the behaviour of the opposition. My remarks against Ranaut were in a lighter vein and I have always honoured the rules of the House.”

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said any objectionable remarks should be expunged. “Everyone should maintain calm so that the House can run smoothly and maximum business can be taken up,” he said.

Naina Devi MLA Randhir Sharma said the recording of the verbal spat between Negi and LoP has gone viral on social media.