SHIMLA: For the alleged manhandling of Governor Bandaru Dattatraya, Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Friday suspended five Congress legislators including Leader of Opposition Mukesh Agnihotri. After the Governor’s Address on the opening day of budget session, Congress legislators were protesting near the Speaker’s chamber at Assembly Complex when they stopped Governor and later did not allow his vehicle to move for several minutes.
Budget session of Himachal Pradesh Assembly has started on fiery note. Congress MLAs had first created ruckus inside the House when Governor was addressing the House, somehow Governor completed his address and left and House was adjourned till Monday 2 pm. When Governor was having tea with Speaker, Chief Minister, Ministers and Legislators in Speaker’s chamber, Congress legislators started protesting outside the Speaker’s chamber.
After having tea when Governor was being escorted to his vehicle by Speaker, Chief Minister and some Ministers, Congress MLAs blocked his path and when they were requested by Chief Minister and others to allow the Governor to move they did not listen. Ruckus was witnessed near Speaker’s chamber as few members from ruling BJP and opposition Congress were seen jostling in the crowd.
After much efforts when Governor finally managed to leave the spot in his vehicle, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur held a meeting with the Speakers and Cabinet ministers in the Speaker’s chamber during which senior police officials were also summoned for consultations.
Unhappy over the development, Speaker Vipin Parmar under Rule 346 decided to recall the House for the day. While starting the proceedings, Speaker said that after adjournment, the House has been summoned again under Rule 346. No one from the opposition was present in the House.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Bhardwaj along with Speaker Vipin Parmar and Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur termed the incident as shameful and demanded hat action should be taken against such members responsible for the incident. He said that opposition has not attacked the Governor but they have attacked the Constitution.
He moved a resolution demanding suspension of Leader of Opposition Mukesh Agnihotri, MLA Harshabardhan Chauhan, MLA Satpal Raizda MLA Sundar Singh and MLA Vinay Singh for the entire session. Later House passed the resolution with voice vote and Speaker announced the suspension of above five Congress MLAs for entire session.