Shimla, Mar 15
The political turmoil in the state poltics ceases to end as swords are drawn between ruling BJP in the centre and ruling Congress in the State escalating battle in the legislative assembly, Court and power circles.
Congress MLA from Nahan, Ajay Solanki has made an complaint under Rule 79 of the Rules of Business of the Assembly seeking action against the unruly behaviour of nine BJP MLAs.
Confirming the development Secretary of Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha Yashpal Sharma said that on the complaint of a Congress MLA before Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, notices have been issued against nine BJP MLAs for allegedly indulging in violance and unwarranted act of indiscipline during recent Budget session inside the house and chamber of the speaker.
Showcause notice was issued to nine MLAs of BJP including Satpal Satti from Una, Vinod Kumar from Nachan, Hansraj from Churah, Surender Shourie from Banjar, Vipin Parmar from Sulah, Trilok Jamwal from Bilaspur, Indra Singh Gandhi from Balh, Lokendra Kumar from Anni and Deepraj from Karsog.
The complaint alleged that during last assembly session these MLAs indulged showing disrespect to chair and in the council chamber or the house circumventing to wind up or adjourn the session of state assembly a day ahead of its schedule amid the unruly behaviour and high drama created by the opposition members.
“Show cause notices were served to MLAs after taking coginzance on the complaint on the alleged action by the nine BJP MLAs leading to uproar scenes in the Assembly.” Secretary of Legislative assembly confirmed.
Members were issued showcause notice to explain their respective position in writing or presenal presence by March 18, 2024.
<span;>Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania may take strong action against the MLAs if they would not abide by the instructions issued in the notice. According to the Vidhan Sabha rule book the proceeding may be inevitable and speaker may reffer the matter to Vidhan sabha privilege Panel considering the response of noticed members.
It is learnt that MLAs might be suspended and disqualified from the assembly if they fail to give proper response proving their not guilty on the charges of indiscipline. The privilege Committee may also recommend the action on the MLAs if they fail in giving satisfactory answer. The legislation experts say that failing to respond to the notices speaker may place them on suspension and disqualification in the time frame given.
The complaint alleged that on the day of passing the budget in the assembly and a day before it, these BJP MLAs created a ruckus inside the house and also in Speaker’s chamber accusing them of snatching important papers from the assembly staff and tearing them in the house.
Complainant also accused BJP members that when orders were served to remove them from the house through the marshals, the MLAs also pushed the marshals.
” The Congress MLA has said that videos clipping of this entire episode are also available in the Vidhansabha record and behaviour of MLA is unpardonable.”
Congress member also accused nine BJP MLAs that their behavior was not of becoming of legislator as they have damaged the high traditions of the house.
He also sought that action be taken against these MLAs under contempt of house proceedings as per Article 194 of the Constitution.
Under these rules, the Speaker of the Assembly has the right to suspend the MLAs. However, no response has been given by the BJP MLAs yet.
Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur has already termed this an act of vendata poltics and informed that party would explore legal options in this matter if it would be necessary.
Noteworthy that Six Congress MLAs were also disqualified by the speaker for indulging in defying party whips , abstaining from the house during important business of passing of Financial bills.
BJP members created unruly scene in the house flowing cross voting by the six Congress MLAs and stalling passing of Financial bills.
<During the Fiasco fifteen members of BJP were also suspended from the house till the session get over on February 28 and treasury benches cleared financial bill and rejected all cut motions in the absence of opposition.
Six Congress MLAs and three Independent also joined BJP MLAs while lodging protest against the government but after budget session six Congress MLAs had to face the disqualification now moved to supreme court to challenge the action of treasury benches and speaker.
Supreme court would hear the petition of six disqualified MLAs on March 18 and disqualified MLA may retain their respective membership in the assembly if SC would allow their petition and set aside the impugned order of Feb 29 issued by the speaker.
Moreover including one out of three Independent MLAs and father of Congress disqualified MLAs are booked for influencing Rajyasabha election by bribing and violation of election rules who are booked for the alleged crime.
It was learnt that booked Independent MLA Ashish Sharma and Rakesh Sharma (former Chief Secretary of Uttrakhand) father of rebel Congress MLA Chaitanya Sharma would dispose their statements before investigation officer of Himachal Pradesh police today who already got anticipatory bail in case on April 13.
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu 15 months old Congress may come in minority if dissidents disqualified MLAs succeed to retain their membership as currently Congress have 34 MLA , BJP 28 including support of three Independent.
Six disqualified MLAs are still out of state and they are residing in a regency at Gurgaon under the strong security cordon of CRPF.
Following increasing tension and unrest among the poltical supports of opposition and ruling party, yesterday Central Government has beefed up the security of the disqualified and Independent MLAs inside their properties and residences following increasing unrest over the coup against the state government and crossing over in the Rajyasabha election.
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