Guwahati Aug 22: Members of Congress, All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), CPI(M) and Raijor Dal staged a walkout from the autumn session of the Assam Legislative Assembly following the Speaker’s refusal to admit three adjournment motions that were separately moved by the parties on the first day of the session on Thursday.
Members of four political parties protested by going to the Well of the House, holding placards, and shouting slogans in support of their demands after Speaker Biswajit Daimary rejected their motions.
After the Question Hour, Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia focused on the issue of exorbitant charges being imposed on power consumers through smart meters.
Raijor Dal MLA Akhil Gogoi highlighted a recent case involving an attack on a minor national-level player in Sivasagar district.
AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam raised a motion concerning the state government’s proposal to restrict land sale-purchase between Hindus and Muslims across the state.
Saikia emphasized the importance of electricity as a basic amenity and said, “Electricity is a basic amenity, and the public can’t be deprived of it. It’s also in the concurrent list. The smart meters are charging exorbitant amounts, and poor people are suffering. The subject needs urgent attention.”
AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam argued against the state government’s proposal to restrict land sale-purchase between Hindus and Muslims, stating, “It’s the constitutional right of an Indian citizen to acquire property equally, and it can’t be restricted based on religion.”
Islam criticized the government’s proposal to require the Chief Minister’s approval for inter-community land deals, saying, “The CM said that inter-community land deals will be prohibited, and it will require his approval. This is polarisation politics, and the government is trying to divide people based on religion. That’s why we have brought the adjournment motion.”
Raijor Daal MLA Gogoi alleged that the law and order situation in Assam had deteriorated drastically, prompting him to demand the resignation of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who also holds the Home portfolio.
Gogoi highlighted a disturbing incident stating, “A national award-winning minor arm wrestler was physically abused by three men, even attacked in her private parts. But the police didn’t take any action. When people hit the streets, then only police arrested two people.”
Gogoi raised concerns about the state’s security situation by pointing out that the militant group ULFA(I) recently announced the planting of 25 bombs across the state. He criticized the police for having “no clue about those,” highlighting what he saw as a significant failure in law enforcement.
In response to the three adjournment motions, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pijush Hazarika argued that there was no justification for discussing these matters through adjournment motions. He requested the Speaker to reject the three motions, which ultimately led to the motions being dismissed and sparked protests from the opposition members.
Speaker Biswajit Daimary suggested that the members discuss their issues through other parliamentary devices instead of using adjournment motions. This led to a noisy scene in the House, as opposition members protested the Speaker’s decision.
“This behaviour is pre-planned and not acceptable,” Daimary said. The Speaker then continued the business of the House and asked the treasury bench to use headphones amid the shouting by the opposition.
