Marathon 36-hour special session of UP Legislature continues, legislators excited

Close to the stroke of the midnight hour, it was business as usual in the both Houses of the Uttar Pradesh Legislature.

The legislators were excited as they got to speak during the special 36-hour-long session held to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

While a large number of BJP MLAs and ministers were present in the Legislative Assembly, it was mostly empty benches in the Legislative Council as the saffron party does not have majority in the House.

The Opposition parties, including Samajwadi Party, BSP, Congress and Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party, boycotted the proceedings, claiming the state government is just out to set a record.

As one MLA was quickly going through the pages during his speech, Speaker of UP Legislative Assembly Hriday Narayan Dixit asked him as to how many pages were still left. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath burst into laughter.

Dixit, while urging the MLAs to stick to the stipulated time allotted, said, "We are running late by nearly six hours, and many are interested to speak at midnight."
Asked about speaking in the House despite the boycott by the Opposition, she said, "If you heard my speech, I only spoke about development and sustainable development goals. I practice politics the way my father used to do it -- whatever I feel is correct, I do it."
When asked if she had deviated from the party line, she said, "I rose above party line and tried to speak on development...This is my first and foremost priority."
To a question whether the party will initiate action against her, Singh replied, "It is the party's call and whatever decision they will take, I am ready to accept it. I did whatever I felt was appropriate."