Day 2: Akalis protest, Bains out for session

Chandigarh : Sustained commotion by Shiromani Akali Dal MLAs on the second day of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha’s Budget Session “worked” to the advantage of the Congress in blocking the move by the Aam Aadmi Party to rake up the issue of sand mining contracts, involving Power and Irrigation Minister Rana Gurjit Singh.The prolonged pandemonium resulted in the Speaker adjourning the House twice and suspending Lok Insaaf Party MLA Simarjeet Singh Bains for the entire session, before calling off the day’s proceedings abruptly.In the absence of SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and Majitha MLA Bikram Majithia, Akali MLAs Ajit Singh Kohar, Parminder Singh Dhindsa and others — flashing the Congress’ debt waiver forms — strongly protested the rejection of their adjournment motion to debate the farmer debt issue as soon as the proceedings commenced.
A volley of one-liners by Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu against the Akalis (calling them names) further provoked them. While the Akalis created commotion twice — first on being denied discussion on the debt waiver issue and then demanding an apology from Sidhu — the AAP MLAs, along with the Lok Insaaf MLAs, stormed the Well of the House when denied discussion on an adjournment motion on the sand mining issue. When the AAP MLAs did not relent and threw paper missiles at the Speaker, he ordered the marshals to evict them. But before they could act, the House was adjourned for the day.Outside, AAP MLA Sukhpal Khaira alleged a “tacit” understanding between the Congress and Akalis to block AAP’s move to rake up the sand mining issue. Khaira went on to say that the Akalis raked up non-issues to create commotion on the flour of the House. Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh was quick to lash out at the Aam Aadmi Party for the “unruly and obnoxious” conduct of its MLAs inside the Vidhan Sabha. Intervening in the discussion to flay the “disruptive” behaviour of Khaira, the CM said it was not the “Kapurthala dangal where he could indulge in such acts”.
After the session, Capt Amarinder said it was an unprecedented act amounting to constitutional sacrilege. Regarding allegations against Khaira by another AAP member who claimed he had given the former Rs 20 lakh for a ticket, the Chief Minister said if any complaint was lodged against him in this regard, the State Government would certainly look into the matter.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Brahm Mohindra said the Question Hour was meant to reply to the questions raised by the MLAs. While the Akalis were demanding discussion during Zero Hour, the AAP legislators wanted a debate ahead of the calling attention notice moved by AAP MLA and Leader of Opposition HS Phoolka.