Zero debate in zero hour

Kahlon said as leader of the House it was the CM’s privilege to speak first. Badal too tried to coax the Opposition benches by saying that he was about to read out a note thanking the Prime Minister for setting up Borlaug Institute of Agriculture in Punjab and invite them for dinner at night. “I want to give some good news for the state,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal too rose to quote Rule 57 which allowed any minister or CM to make a statement during the zero hour. But his voice was lost in the din as Congress MLAs trooped to the well of the House demanding time to raise their issues first. The Speaker then adjourned the House for half-an-hour.

However,similar scenes were witnessed when the session was resumed. Once again,Kahlon asked the CM to read out his statement. The Opposition again stormed the well of the house,this time a few MLAs led by Mangat Rai Bansal stood up on the tables of the record-keepers of the House to raise anti-government slogans. Interestingly,both Congress legislative party leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and state Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh preferred being in the sidelines as independent MLA Charanjit Singh Channi and Congress MLA Sunil Jakhar led the charge.

The House was once again adjourned for half-an-hour. After it resumed,Kahlon once again allowed the CM the first say. As Opposition benches yet again stormed to the well of the House,the Speaker asked Congress MLA Makhan Singh to present his call-attention motion. But Opposition MLAs refused to budge following which the Speaker asked ministers to table their reports and bills,which were passed amid din within minutes following which the House was once again adjourned till the next session post lunch.

Sidelights of the day

Zilch in evening session too

In the evening session,following the question hour,the Chief Minister again tried to make a statement in the House which attracted loud opposition. Stating that they had sole right over zero hour the MLAs trooped to the well of the House and kept raising slogans till the final adjournment of the House.

The chief minister’s statement which was tabled in the House was an exhaustive list of the ‘historic’ achievements of his government. The list started with the opening of the Guru Gobind Singh Refinery Bathinda and also included the opening of the Borlaug Institute for South Asia in Ladowal,Ludhiana,proposed opening of a Service Selection Centre for the Indian Army in Punjab,and setting up of the Khalsa Heritage Memorials.

Constructive criticism praised

Conscious of the fact that this was the last assembly session before the state went to polls,the chief minister,in his statement,thanked the members of the Opposition for their constructive criticism. He said he was satisfied that the working of the government had not agitated the Opposition so much that they had to take to the streets. “Their criticism has been limited to the Assembly and press statements,” he said. “I don’t mind the manner in which the Opposition members have behaved in this session. I understand that for them too this is the last opportunity to be heard before elections,” he said.

Recalling the vindictive atmosphere in state politics some years ago,the chief minister said,“We have tried our best to end the bitterness. We have withdrawn the defamation case registered against Capt Amarinder Singh. But it saddens me that the Opposition benches have not appreciated this gesture. I will,however,continue in my efforts,” he said.

Good old camraderie

Between storming the well of the House,raising anti-government slogans and walking out after adjournments,it was time for some light banter between treasury and Opposition members. Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal was seen sharing some light moments with Congress MLAs Avtar Singh Brar and Laal Singh. CM was seen explaining the context of his speech to Congress MLA Jakhar who also walked up to Food and Civil Supplies Minister Adeish Pratap Singh Kairon,against whose department he has alleged large-scale bungling in distribution of food and fuel subsidies,to shake hands.