No-trust motion against Punjab govt defeated

Tribune New Service

Chandigarh, December 23, 2014

The no-confidence motion moved by the Congress against the Akali-BJP government in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha was on Tuesday defeated by a voice vote. The Punjab Government managed to win the motion amidst pandemonium in the House and three adjournments.

The motion was moved by Leader of Opposition Sunil Jakhar, who said he was “pained” at the drug menace in the state and the alleged involvement of senior ruling party leaders in the drug racket. He spoke at length on how the youth in Punjab were succumbing to the drug menace and the inability of the government to deal with it.

The ruling Akali-BJP government was all set to face the Opposition with the MLAs of both parties in full force. The three Independent members — Bains brothers and Rajneesh Kumar — were also present in the House.

However, the Congress MLAs seemed to be in no mood to listen to the reply that the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was to give in the House. After Akali MLA Virsa Singh Valtoha raised the issue of his past, the MLAs came to the Well of the House and raised slogans against the MLA demanding his expulsion from the House. Throughout the day, the MLAs continued to raise slogans and in spite of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister exhorting them to go back to their seats and allow the House proceedings to continue, but to no avail.

This is the first time that the alliance government has faced a no-confidence motion.