On the very first day of Himachal Pradesh Assembly Monsoon today, Opposition BJP staged walkout from the House when the Speaker turned down their plea to handover a matter to Assembly privilege committee as they were charging Chief Minister for making remark against them that appeared in section of media recently stating it as breach of privilege of legislators.
As the House commenced post lunch for six day assembly monsoon session today, it ran smoothly as members paid tributes on demise of five former members of assembly however it took ugly turn when BJP chief whip Mr. Suresh Bhardwaj raised the issue of breach of special privilege to member of Assembly by the Chief Minister by making a derogatory remarks in the media recently.
Mr. Bhardwaj alleged that while addressing media persons on the birth anniversary of Dr. Y.S Parmar (the first chief minister of HP) Mr. Singh have made a comment on them which was shear breach of their special privilege. While addressing media persons on August 4, 2016 Mr. Singh termed BJP MLA should apply for job as Municipal Corporation workers.
The leader of Opposition Mr. Prem Kumar Dhumal said that Mr. Singh often gives such statements deliberately as he was also made similar statement before commencing of session previously. Mr. Dhumal said that member of assembly especially BJP were being unfairly treated during Mr. Singh rule who have become victims rather than having special privilege.
Replying to the allegations Mr. Singh made a statement in the House by completely keeping away of such remarks. I have never breached privilege of any members of BJP and no such statement was given by him to hurt anyone. Mr. Singh said that he would look into news clippings referred by the member in the House and also convene a press conference to deny the statements.
However BJP chief whip alleged that the matter was recorded and telecasted by the electronic channel and if Chief Minister denied such allegations, the Speaker should hand over the issue to privilege committee of State Assembly to further probe the complete issue.
The Opposition member started raising slogans and walked out from the House when Speaker Mr. B B L Butail asked the BJP to resists from further blowing up the issue in the House. However the BJP member returned in the house before it was adjourned for the day today and participated in the business.
