Congress MLAs stage multiple walkouts; arguments mark conclusion of assembly session

Chandigarh: Three walkouts by the Congress, along with arguments between Congress MLAs and ruling BJP MLAs and ministers, marked the concluding sitting of the winter session of the Haryana Assembly here on Monday. Notably, a discussion over SIR on the issue of electoral reforms triggered the situation, which led to two walkouts by the Congress MLAs.One walkout by the Congress was the consequence of an argument between leader of the opposition Bhupinder Hooda and Speaker Harvinder Kalyan when the former alleged that calling attention motions and other proposals moved by Congress MLAs were turned down. Kalyan categorically replied that all subjects taken up in calling attention motions were addressed, hence, the move was declined. This irritated Congress MLAs and forced them to stage a walkout.
Except for the question hour, where all 20 questions were taken up and the zero hour, when MLAs raised issues of their constituencies, Congress MLAs had altercations with the treasury benches. Meanwhile, amidst stormy sessions, a total of eight important bills were passed during the day. The House saw another round of arguments between Congress MLA Geeta Bhukkal and minister Krishan Bedi during a discussion on an issue of education.Soon after the passage of bills, the Speaker announced the name of Ram Kumar Kashyap, who proposed the discussion on electoral reforms on the lines of the Union of India on the issue of SIR, as Haryana too is likely to adopt the reforms in times to come. Soon after the Speaker announced this, CM Saini endorsed the same. He said the discussion on this issue was also required so that the people of Haryana would know the truth behind the misleading campaigns and propaganda started by the Congress party.The Chief Minister said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has specifically named Haryana while making allegations of vote theft. Such serious allegations, he said, deserve a responsible and fact-based discussion within the House, as the people of Haryana want to know the truth. The CM clarified that the proposed discussion was neither against the SIR nor about the Election Commission of India. However, if the opposition believed there had been any irregularity, it should be discussed openly. While the leader of the opposition, Bhupinder Hooda, opposed the same by saying that discussion on the issue should be avoided as the assembly does not have any power to interpret, vote, or has any jurisdiction. Notably, after arguments, Congress MLAs started raising slogans and created a ruckus. Following this, they staged a walkout.Soon after the Congress MLAs staged a walkout, it gave BJP ministers an opportunity to train their guns on them. Parliamentary affairs minister Mahipal Dhanda categorically said this exposed the Congress strategy as they were never agreeing to the discussion. Joining him were ministers Vipul Goyal and Arvind Sharma, who claimed that Congress MLAs and leaders could blame and discuss this issue by accusing the BJP of vote chori on the roads, elections, and before the media, but they are not ready to face discussion on the floor of the House.Notably, the Congress MLAs re-entered the House, but this time more aggressively, with an allegation that Vipul Goyal used unparliamentary language towards an MLA during his deliberation. This escalated the situation, and efforts made by Speaker Kalyan and CM Saini to pacify Congress MLAs failed. During this issue, the Speaker even adjourned the House twice for 15 minutes. Even Goyal, who outrightly denied the allegation, also expressed regret in case his words hurt anybody.

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