The Opposition Congress on Thursday created pandemonium in Chhattisgarh Assembly over remarks made by Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Ajay Chandrakar who is temporarily holding charge of Home Department and also refused to take part in discussion involving his departments.
Congress members also boycotted the proceedings over certain remark of BJP member Shivratan Sharma which was expunged later by the Speaker.
Notably, during discussion on budget demands in the House on Wednesday, Chandrakar made some remarks related to the Opposition (which was later expunged).
Congress members Satyanarayan Sharma and Bhupesh Baghel said that the party is hurt by the remarks of Chandrakar and they have decided not to take part in discussion pertaining to the Departments of the Minister.
Registering objection over the stand of Congress members, Revenue Minister Prem Prakash Pandey said that as per the demand of Opposition, Minister Ajay Chandrakar has made an announcement of CBI enquiry on Jheeram valley attack. Only two members of the Opposition Umesh Patel and Devati Karma have expressed gratitude towards the Minister’s move, he said.
He further said that the move initiated by the Opposition is a part of strategy to disrupt House business.
In his ruling, Speaker Gaurishankar Agrawal said the Chair had asked the legislators to read their call attention motion notice but they did not read. If they don’t want to do so, they should remain absent from the proceedings during that period.
Responding to the Speaker’s ruling, Congress member Satyanarayan Sharma said to take the services of Marshall for sending him out following which Revenue Minister
Pandey raised objection and said the remark amounts to contempt of the Chair and the member is challenging the ruling of Speaker.
The act of the member is not according to parliamentary procedure and the Chair condemns the act, said Agrawal.
Clarifying the stand of Satyanarayan Sharma, Congress member Bhupesh Baghel said the former is a very senior member of the House and he is well aware about the powers of the Chair. Sharma did not challenge the ruling later.
Meanwhile, BJP member Shivratan Sharma made a comment, which was later expunged, leading to noisy scenes and walkout by Congress members.