As soon as the proceedings began in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly on Monday, a heated debate started between the ruling party and the main opposition party Samajwadi Party. The atmosphere further heated up when Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak, pointing towards the opposition, said, “If they ask anything beyond the scope of the question, we will also answer in the same way and create a ruckus.” Samajwadi Party member Dr. R.K. Verma was about to stand up to raise his question when the Deputy Chief Minister said this. Some MLAs from the ruling party thumped their tables in support, while opposition members objected, calling it unparliamentary. Although the proceedings proceeded, tension was clearly visible in the atmosphere.
The temperature was increasing since Friday
This was not the first time in recent times that the temperature in the House had increased. There was an uncomfortable situation in the assembly on Friday also. During the Question Hour, Samajwadi Party MLA Dr. Ragini Sonkar sought answers from the government on issues like recruitment, reservation system and age relaxation for candidates in competitive exams. Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna stood up to reply. During the discussion, Dr. Sonkar tried to interrupt the discussion, upon which Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana directed him to sit and listen. Meanwhile, some members of the ruling party, including BJP MLA Ketki Singh, started protesting. The commotion increased rapidly. Speaker Mahana advised both sides to exercise restraint, but the situation did not come under control. Expressing displeasure, he said, “Will you guys run the house now? It is my responsibility.” He then placed his headphones on the table and left the house. Due to his action the entire house suddenly became silent.
Question on dignity of the house
Regarding the increasing tension in the Assembly, political analysts believe that the allegations and counter-allegations are sure to intensify as the election season approaches, but maintaining the dignity of the House is the joint responsibility of all the parties. Brijesh Pathak’s words on Monday once again indicated that the lines of dialogue have been drawn between the ruling party and the opposition. The opposition says that the government wants to avoid uncomfortable questions, while the ruling party argues that Question Hour should not be made a platform for political rhetoric.
