Guwahati: The Assam Assembly saw repeated disruptions on Wednesday, with both ruling and opposition members clashing over the demand for discussions on various issues, leading to three adjournments.
The opposition brought forward four adjournment motions on key issues, including the Umrangso coal mine tragedy (raised by Congress), coal and other syndicates (raised by CPI(M)), the alleged torture of Indian citizens in a detention centre (raised by AIUDF), and the cash-for-job scam in the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC), raised by Independent MLA Akhil Gogoi.
Meanwhile, the ruling BJP-led alliance demanded a discussion on a recent report concerning the APSC cash-for-job scam.
Once the Question Hour ended, chaos ensued as both sides gathered in the well of the House to press their demands.
In an unusual turn, BJP members in the ruling alliance raised slogans and clapped inside the well, urging the Speaker to allow a discussion on the Justice (Retd) Biplab Kumar Sharma Commission’s report on the APSC scam.
Meanwhile, AIUDF members held up placards calling for justice for those allegedly tortured in detention centres.
Despite the opposition’s unified call for the Speaker to accept their four notices, Speaker Biswajit Daimary rejected all five demands, suggesting that the issues could be raised through other procedures.
He asked members to return to their seats, but the protests continued, leading to the first adjournment of the House for 10 minutes.
When the session resumed, the disruptive behaviour persisted.
Speaker Daimary appealed for order, emphasising that the day’s agenda included a discussion on the governor’s speech and that there was no room for further discussions.
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However, his plea was ignored, prompting a second adjournment for another 10 minutes.
Upon reconvening, the noisy standoff continued, forcing a third adjournment, this time for 20 minutes.
After the third adjournment, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma intervened, stating that the government was open to discussing all the issues raised by the opposition. “We have no problem discussing these topics.
This budget session will continue for a month, so I request the Speaker to allocate time on any day to address these matters,” he said.
Following this assurance, both sides calmed down, and the Assembly proceeded with its scheduled business.
