Rajasthan Assembly Erupts in Chaos Over BJP MLA's Remarks Targeting Rahul Gandhi
A remark by BJP MLA Shrichand Kriplani directed at Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, triggered a major uproar in the Rajasthan legislative assembly on Tuesday. The incident occurred during the Motion of Thanks to the governor's address, escalating into a heated confrontation between the ruling party and opposition members.
Congress MLAs Rush to Well, Force Adjournments
The commotion intensified as Congress MLAs rushed to the well of the House, shouting slogans and creating a tense atmosphere. This led to sharp exchanges between the two sides, ultimately forcing the assembly to adjourn twice as order could not be restored. The disruption significantly impacted the scheduled proceedings, particularly the debate on the governor's address.
Kriplani Criticizes Gandhi Over Doklam Issue Reference
Kriplani specifically criticized Rahul Gandhi for raising the Doklam issue in Parliament, citing an unpublished book by former army chief General MM Naravane. "It is wrong to quote an unpublished book in Parliament," Kriplani asserted. He emphasized that as the Leader of Opposition, Gandhi should adhere to the Speaker's guidance. Kriplani further remarked, "There are many Congress leaders in this assembly, but they do not speak against the country."
Opposition Leader Objects to Mentioning Gandhi
Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully strongly objected to Kriplani's remarks, arguing that since Rahul Gandhi is not a member of the Rajasthan assembly, he should not be mentioned during its proceedings. This objection added fuel to the already fiery debate, with both sides standing firm on their positions.
Kriplani Defends Remarks, Cites Precedent
In his defense, Kriplani pointed out that Congress MLA Dotasra had previously criticized Union minister Amit Shah in the assembly without any action being taken. This comparison further intensified the clash of arguments, contributing to the prolonged uproar and disruption of the legislative debate.
Business Advisory Committee Revises Session Schedule
Amid the turmoil, the assembly's Business Advisory Committee (BAC) convened to address the disruptions. The committee decided to revise the schedule for the ongoing session. Key changes include:
- Extending the debate on the governor's address by one additional day.
- Scheduling Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma to respond on February 5.
- Declaring a recess for the House from February 6 to February 10.
- Setting the presentation of the state budget for February 11.
This revised timeline aims to accommodate the lost time due to the adjournments and ensure that critical legislative business, including the budget presentation, proceeds as planned.
