Upset over being disallowed from putting a supplementary to a question by the Speaker, two independent MLAs, backed by opposition Congress legislators, staged a walkout from the Punjab Assembly today.
Independent legislator Simarjit Singh Bains from Atma Nagar Assembly in Ludhiana made efforts to put a supplementary on a question asked by Congress MLA Raj Kumar Verka during Question Hour.
The trouble started after Bains noticed that Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal called other legislator's name.
Bains started shouting slogans by raising his hands.
However, Atwal told the protesting MLA that he (Bains) did not stand up to put a supplementary.
"I looked thrice at you (Bains), but you did not stand up to put a question," Atwal told the protesting MLAs.
But Bains rushed into the Well of the House followed by his elder brother Balwinder Singh Bains, also an Independent MLA from Ludhiana South Assembly, and staged a sit-in raising slogans against the Speaker.
The Bains brothers were joined by Congress members with Leader of Opposition Sunil Jakhar (of Congress) asserting that the Speaker is throttling the voice of the Opposition members.
After staging a noisy demonstration in the Well of the House the Bains brothers walkedout followed immediately by the Congress flock.
Before the walkout there were unpleasant exchanges between Independents and some members of treasury benches, including Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia.
However, the entire Opposition and Bains brothers returned to the House after about five minutes and attended further proceedings.
Later, during the Zero Hour, Congress MLA Randeep Singh Nabha alleged that 'Halqa' (area) incharges made by Akalis in each district amounts to "murder of democracy".
In response, Leader of the House and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal clarified that there were no halqa incharge made by Akalis in the state.
"It is not under Akali Dal's constitution neither there is a provision of such a post," he added.
Intervening in the matter, Sadhu Singh of Congress appealed to the chief minister to declare as "illegal" all those foundation stones laid by halqa incharges of Akalis in the state.
