Breach of privilege motion against Himanta

Allegation of the Speaker being dictated by the CM is an insult to House: Rockybul

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Dec 8: The State government has moved a breach of privilege motion against former Congress MLA turned BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma. Parliamentary Affairs minister Rockybul Hussain on Tuesday raised the issue in the House, stating that Sarma attacked the institution of the Speaker as well as the House.

It may be mentioned that on Monday, soon after the suspension of BJP MLAs from the House, Himanta Biswa Sarma had said that the Speaker acted according to the dictates of the Chief Minister. The BJP leader had said, “In order to confirm his and his son’s candidature from the Congress in the upcoming assembly election, the Speaker has stooped low to appease the Chief Minister.”

Raising the issue today in the House, Rockybul Hussain said, “Himanta Biswa Sarma has attacked the chair of the Speaker and undermined a constitutiol position. It’s an insult to the Speaker and the House. The Speaker does not follow anybody’s dictates. He is neutral. We raise our concern and seek action against the offender.”

AIUDF MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed (presently suspended) too said that it is an insult to the Speaker and sought breach of privilege motion against Sarma.

Ministers Chandan Sarkar and Atuwa Munda, MLAs Prithvi Majhi, Bhupen Kumar Bora, Ardhendu Dey of the Congress and Abdur Rahim Khan of the AIUDF too slammed Himanta Biswa Sarma for his comment and sought action.

AGP MLA Phanibhushan Choudhury said, “What happened yesterday was really unfortute. We want all to maintain dignity and decorum in the House.”

Later, speaking on the issue, Speaker Prab Kumar Gogoi said, “I don’t work under anyone’s influence. What happened inside the House on Monday was against its rules, for which I had to take action. I have discretiory powers to take action and for that I don’t need to be dictated by anyone.”

The Speaker added, “What happened yesterday was pre-planned. Had action not been taken, they would have disrupted the entire session.”

He also asked Parliamentary Affairs minister Rockybul Hussain to move the breach of privilege motion in written form. It has been learnt that Hussain submitted a complaint in the evening in this regard to the Speaker.