Khaira films House ruckus, suspended
Saturday, 17/06/2017
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/khaira-films-house-ruckus-suspended/423601.html
Chandigarh : Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) legislators, raising slogans inside the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, today attacked the Congress government for its “failure” to announce a loan waiver for farmers. Some were seen in a cantankerous spat with Congress MLAs. But it was AAP’s Bholath MLA Sukhpal Khaira who was suspended by Speaker Rana KP Singh for the rest of the session for uploading a video of the unruly scenes on Facebook.
With Khaira recording the heated exchanges between Akali and Congress MLAs, that ensued after an outburst by Minister for Local Bodies Navjot Singh Sidhu, Congress MLAs, who were led by Kuljit Singh Nagra, raised objections. Subsequently, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Brahm Mohindra moved a motion and Khaira was suspended for the session. The AAP MLA refused to hand over his cellphone, arguing that other MLAs were carrying phones as well, that House proceedings were not in progress when he had shot the video and that similar incidents had occurred in the past too. As AAP MLAs, led by Leader of the Opposition HS Phoolka, protested the decision, the Speaker adjourned the House.
“I equate the unfair attitude of the Speaker with the Abdalis, Duranis and Mughals who mercilessly executed people, denying them an opportunity to defend themselves,” a defiant Khaira said. Tempers ran high during question hour as SAD and Congress MLAs entered into a spat over the "unparliamentary" language used for Tourism and Culture Minister. Congress MLAs Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Nagra, Parminder Singh Pinky and Rana Sodhi stormed into the well of the House and nearly came to blows with Akali members. SAD's Rozy Barkandi was pushed by Ghanaur MLA Thekedar Madan Lal Jalalpura. There were at least two adjournments and two walkouts.
Earlier as the session began, SAD-BJP MLAs, including Pawan Kumar Tinu, Ajit Singh Kohar, NK Sharma, HPS Chandumajra and Arun Narang, rushed to the House well, raising slogans over "unkept" poll promises. The protests became louder as Sidhu got up to reply.
The minister lost his cool while responding to a query on the Harike project after certain remarks were made against him. An enraged Sidhu then spoke of the "illegal activities" of the Badal family, blaming them for the Rs 350 crore PRTC loss.
Addressing the Assembly on the third day of the Budget session, CM Amarinder Singh reiterated his government's commitment to fulfilling all poll promises, including a loan waiver and "kurki" (auction) abolition for the debt-ridden farmers. Over repeated disruptions, he said: "The prestige of the Speaker’s office has never been lowered like this by throwing paper missiles at him."
Bhatti is Dy Speaker
Congress legislator Ajaib Singh Bhatti was elected Deputy Speaker on Friday. Proposed by the CM, his name was seconded by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Brahm Mohindra. Even as Bhatti’s election was on, Akali MLAs stormed into the well of the House, seeking a debate on loan waiver. TNS
‘Cong-bashers’ out
The Congress is happy over the suspension of Lok Insaaf Party MLA Simarjit Singh Bains and AAP MLA Sukhpal Khaira, who have been targeting the government over mining and transport business. “We did not want Sukhpal to rake up the mining issue allegedly involving Rana Gurjit. We want to target Akalis and keep AAP out. Now, the government can discuss its development agenda,” said an MLA.
Warring all praise for Capt
During the discussion on the Governor’s Address, Gidderbaha MLA Amrinder Singh Raja Warring overshadowed other party MLAs in singing paeans to the CM, while attacking the critics who were pointing fingers at the government over “wrongdoings” in the sand mining auction. Comparing Amarinder with a lion, Warring said the CM was acting against the wrongdoers with an iron hand.
Overzealous Channi
During the commotion created by Akalis MLAs’ protest in the Well of the House and Congress MLAs countering them, Charanjit Singh Channi suddenly got up from his seat to push aside the Marshals, who had formed a human chain near the front row of the treasury benches (where the CM was seated).
Support for Sidhu
During a protest by Akali MLAs against the remarks made by Navjot Sigh Sidhu, a number of Congress MLAs rushed to the Well of the House in support of the minister.
Akalis relent after Capt’s threat
Chandigarh: When protesting Akali MLAs refused to relent, the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh flashed a list of SAD leaders who were allegedly involved in illegal mining. Though the Chief Minister did not reveal the names in the long list, the Akalis (including Muktsar MLA Kanwarjit Singh Rozy Barkandi) made a hasty retreat to their seats. They, however, claimed that they relented on an assurance over loan waiver by the Chief Minister.
