BJP members raise slogans in Himachal Assembly, stage walkout over closure of facilities

BJP members raised slogans in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly Thursday demanding the reopening of facilities closed by the new government, triggering slogan-shouting by the ruling Congress MLAs as well before walking out of the House.

Ahead of the pandemonium in the House, BJP MLAs had marched from the main gate of the assembly complex to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s office carrying chains and locks.

As they squatted outside the CM’s office in the complex and shouted slogans, Congress MLAs too arrived there, also chanting slogans.

Since assuming office in December last year, the Congress government has closed down over 900 facilities and institutions set up by the previous BJP government, saying such establishments were set up during the fag end of its tenure without budgetary provision. The BJP has been demanding the reopening of the facilities which include schools, colleges, health centres, revenue subdivision, and PWD and electricity offices, among others.

Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania tried to restore order and allowed Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur to speak, but BJP members resumed slogan shouting after Thakur concluded his speech and staged a walkout.

Thakur said that the government was taking the issue lightly but there was an outcry against the closure of institutions without following due procedure.

“When BJP members tried to meet the chief minister, some Congress MLAs tried to block them and resorted to hooliganism... Had I not restrained the BJP MLAs, the situation could have become unfortunate,” Thakur said.

Chief Minister Sukhu said that he requested the former chief minister and BJP MLAs to come to his chamber and not squat on the floor but they did not heed as they wanted to make headlines.

“I am even willing to meet the Leader of Opposition at his home,” said Sukhu and added that he would tour all the assembly constituencies and open institutions on the basis of need only.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan condemned the behaviour of the opposition MLAs and alleged that they are trying to dictate terms to the government but it will not be cowed down by their slogans and threats. Later, the House adopted a resolution condemning the behaviour of BJP members.

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said former CM Thakur indiscriminately opened institutions to save his government and he should now realize that he is no longer a chief minister and apologize to the people.

Agnihotri said out of 23 colleges opened by the previous BJP government, three colleges were opened without budget provision, 10 with a provision of Rs 1 lakh and 10 with provision of Rs 10 lakh while teaching staff was not appointed in five colleges.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dhani Ram Shandil also condemned the conduct of the opposition and said that “As chief minister, Jai Ram Thakur regularly used a helicopter and was known as “Helicopter Wala CM”.

Congress MLA Sanjay Rattan said that it is a serious security lapse as BJP MLAs entered the assembly with locks and chains even though metal detectors were installed on the gates of the House.

Thakur said that the House discussed the issue on Wednesday under Rule 67 but there was no satisfactory reply and ''we wanted to meet the chief minister on the issue''.