The first day of monsoon session of Himachal Pradesh Assembly went off smoothly today after the chief minister withdrew his reported remarks opposition leaders and assured the House that an FIR against BJP MLA Randhir Sharma would be cancelled -- two issues that could have marred the session like previous two sittings.
Soon after obituary references to former President A P J Abdul Kalam and two former MLAs Gian Singh Negi and Wazir Chand, who died during the inter-session period, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh made a suo motu statement.
In his statement, Singh assured the House that that the case against the BJP MLA would be withdrawn and said that he was ready to withdraw his reported remarks against former CM P K Dhumal and his son and BJP MP Anurag Thakur if these hurt anyone.
"I had said earlier also that I am ready to withdraw the reported remarks made at Una and reiterate the same in the House and feel that nothing more is required in this regard," he said.
The case against BJP MLA Randhir Sharma in connection with an incident at Bassi is in the process of cancellation and the same would be cancelled, he said.
The chief minister said he was keen to ensure that the proceedings of the House are conducted in a smooth manner and had attended the all party meeting convened by the speaker B B L Butail along with leader of the opposition and other members and discussed various contentious issues.
The truce brought about by the speaker between the warring leaders of both the parties paved the way for smooth conduct of the House and after two consecutive sessions marred by disruptions, proceedings were conducted in peaceful and orderly manner today.
Meanwhile, the House led by the chief minister, Speaker and the leader of the opposition paid rich tributes to Kalam and the former MLAs.
