Assembly winter session adjourned sine die

Thursday, 25/12/2014

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Chandigarh : The three-day winter session of Punjab Assembly was on Wednesday adjourned sine-die with the BJP, an ally of ruling SAD government in the state, expressing “disappointment” over not being allowed to speak in the House, condemning objectionable remark by a SAD MLA and ruckus created by the Opposition members.

While Local Government Minister Anil Joshi urged the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to control the members of his party and not let them embarrass BJP leaders, the combative Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madan Mohan Mittal requested Speaker Dr Charanjit Singh Atwal to follow “proper” procedure in the House for holding a healthy debate on any issue and control the “unsolicited” actions of the Opposition, who he alleged not even let the Leader of the House to speak.

Objecting to the remark made by SAD MLA Virsa Singh Valtoha on the floor of the House on Tuesday, which were expunged, Joshi sought restraint on use of objectionable language and also appealed the Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to put “control” over it.

He said that such statements not only affect the “image” of the entire state government but also leave the BJP members embarrassed in the public.

Taking cognizance of the matter, Badal snubbed Valtoha by asking him not to use objectionable words in the House and sit down without making any further speech.

Main opposition Congress staged a walk out from the House, which concluded on the third day of its brief winter session, blaming the BJP for the defeat of no-confidence motion moved against state government on Tuesday.

After the Question Hour in the morning, the Leader of Opposition Sunil Jakhar gave a notice of breach of privilege motion against Valtoha for “objectionable” comment.

“This is a grave breach of security of the House and its members and I request you (Speaker) to refer the matter to the Committee on Privilege for further action,” said the notice.

However, Speaker rejected the notice of motion on the ground that it was not received within the stipulated time period.

“The notice for privilege motion against Virsa Singh Valtoha was received by my office at 10:30 am. Under rule 253 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Punjab Assembly, a member wishes to raise a question of privilege shall give notice in writing to Secretary before the commencement of the sitting on the day the question is proposed to be raised.

“I received notice at 10:30 am today and therefore, I reject it,” the Speaker ruled.

Taking objection to the Valtoha’s statement, the Congress created ruckus in the House and demanded his suspension from the House and entire debate on the motion could not take place.

Jakhar had on Tuesday moved a no-confidence motion against the Punjab government against the background of the summons issued by Enforcement Directorate to Cabinet Minister Bikram Singh Majithia, in the drug smuggling racket. However, the motion was defeated.

Raising the issue with the Speaker, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Madan Mohan Mittal said that BJP members are not being allowed to speak on the floor of the House.

“There should be some procedures and rules and the convention should be followed in a judicious manner. It should not be that a member can speak whatever he wants to,” said Mittal while referring to Congress party’s critical remarks against BJP.

With Opposition party vociferously demanding privilege motion against Valtoha affecting House proceedings, Chief Minister Badal expressed disappointment over Congress members’ behaviour, accusing them of politicising the issue.

As Jakhar accused the BJP MLAs of defeating the no-confidence motion on Tuesday brought against the state government, the Opposition members staged a walk out. They showed black strips to the BJP members and waved leaflets with anti-BJP and anti-Majithia slogans.

Stating that BJP’s stand was quite clear as the party was against terrorism, Mittal said, “We fought against terrorism. I was at the forefront for seven years when terrorism was at peak. Therefore, whosoever wants to speak should think before speaking.” He further said that BJP was against drugs.

“Are we supporting drugs? Are we selling it or is anybody among us (BJP) accused in a drug racket?,” Mittal said.