There was a massive uproar in the Rajasthan Assembly on the second day of the Monsoon Session on Friday. As soon as proceedings began, Leader of the Opposition, Tikaram Jully, raised the issue of Congress MLAs being stopped at the Assembly gate on Thursday and demanded a discussion
JAIPUR — There was a massive uproar in the Rajasthan Assembly on the second day of the Monsoon Session on Friday. As soon as proceedings began, Leader of the Opposition, Tikaram Jully, raised the issue of Congress MLAs being stopped at the Assembly gate on Thursday and demanded a discussion. Jully also questioned the BJP government over the alleged assault on CJP activists who had gone to inspect schools under their nationwide 'School Thik Karo' campaign.
The Speaker did not allow the matter to be raised during Question Hour, following which Congress MLAs entered the Well of the House, raised slogans and waved posters describing the government as a “fugitive” administration.
BJP MLAs responded by raising slogans against Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, calling him a “fugitive” and a “thief.” The heated exchanges continued as both sides traded slogans.
At 11:05 a.m., Speaker Vasudev Devnani adjourned the House until noon. The uproar continued even after proceedings resumed at 12 p.m.
Raising the issue during the commotion, Jully questioned the Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma government over the alleged assault on CJP activists who had visited schools for inspection.
He said the condition of education and healthcare in Rajasthan was poor and questioned why the government remained silent when people visiting schools were allegedly being beaten. Jully also raised the issue of Congress MLAs being stopped at the Assembly gate on Thursday.
“Never before have MLAs been stopped at the gate while entering the Assembly,” Jully said, adding that even when the BJP was in Opposition, its MLAs had entered through the same gate while protesting.
He demanded an enquiry into why the Congress MLAs were stopped and rejected claims that they had been unwilling to enter the Assembly. “We want to raise issues concerning the public. We want to discuss matters that affect the people,” Jully said.
During the uproar, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel accused the Congress of being a “murderer of democracy” and said the Opposition had no substantive issues.
Government Chief Whip Jogeshwar Garg alleged that people other than Congress MLAs, including alleged anti-social elements, had accompanied them on Thursday.
He alleged the MLAs wanted to bring these individuals inside the Assembly premises, which was why they were stopped at the gate.
Meanwhile, BJP MLAs and ministers continued raising slogans against the Congress and LoP Rahul Gandhi.
The Speaker repeatedly asked Congress MLAs to return to their seats, but the protests continued, leading to the adjournment.
Before the Assembly proceedings began on Friday, Congress MLAs protested on the Assembly premises and raised slogans against the state government over several issues.
The day's agenda includes the passage of supplementary demands for certain departments after Question Hour and Zero Hour, followed by discussion and passage of Appropriation Bill No. 3.
Meanwhile, the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill is likely to be deferred, as it does not figure in Friday's Assembly agenda.
The Government Chief Whip had indicated on Thursday that the Bill could be introduced in the House. However, the current two-day session is scheduled to conclude without its introduction.
The Assembly is expected to reconvene in November, when the UCC Bill and Tree Protection Bill are likely to be taken up.