The winter session of the Haryana Legislative Assembly in Chandigarh began with intense political drama on Friday, as Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini expressed deep surprise and emotion over a no-confidence motion brought by the opposition Congress.
From Warm Welcome to Sudden Confrontation
Addressing the House, Chief Minister Saini recalled the unprecedented and cordial welcome extended to Leader of Opposition (LoP) Bhupinder Singh Hooda just a day earlier. "I have never seen a leader of the opposition being received in such a manner," the CM remarked, highlighting the brief period of goodwill. However, he noted that the warmth was short-lived. "What happened yesterday between 12.20 pm and 12.35 pm was not normal. Less than two hours after we welcomed the LoP, the opposition brought a no-confidence motion," Saini stated, questioning the timing and intent behind the Congress's move.
The Missing Signature and Poetic Anguish
The Chief Minister revealed that upon careful examination of the motion notice, he discovered a significant omission. The proposal did not carry the signature of Bhupinder Singh Hooda. "I checked it again and again, even after cleaning my spectacles to ensure nothing was missed," Saini said, expressing his astonishment. He suggested that the absence indicated either that the Congress does not consider Hooda its leader or that the party itself lacks confidence in his leadership.
Expressing his anguish poetically, Saini added, "Mera Lao to Qatlnaama, Main Khud Dekh Loon; Main Bhi Dekh Loon Kis-Kis ki Mohar Hai Sare Mazhar Lagi Hui" (Bring me my death warrant — let me see it myself; let me see whose seals and signatures are stamped upon my fate). He reiterated his displeasure with both the motion and its timing, especially following the positive gesture shown to the LoP.
Uproar in the House and Opposition's Rebuttal
The CM's remarks triggered a 15-minute uproar in the assembly. Several Congress legislators rushed towards the Speaker's podium, raising slogans against the government and the CM's statement. Speaker Harvinder Kalyan had to intervene to calm the volatile situation, urging both treasury and opposition benches to settle down for smooth proceedings.
In response, LoP and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda expressed hurt, terming the CM's statements as "meaningless." He clarified, "The law requires the signatures of 18 MLAs to move a no-confidence motion, and that requirement was duly met in this case." Hooda emphasized that there was no point in raising an issue over one individual's signature, as the motion was brought strictly as per rules. He reminded that he had even announced the move at a press conference beforehand.
Echoing this sentiment, Congress leader and Rohtak MLA Bharat Bhushan Batra stated that the CM had no right to question the absence of the LoP's signature on the notice, reinforcing that procedural requirements were fully satisfied.
