MLAs can’t ask about riots, sensitive issues in assembly: MP government

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh legislators can’t ask in the assembly questions on communal riots, sensitive events, confidential issues, and any query that may encourage secessionism or threaten the country’s unity, according to changes in House rules, which the opposition alleged are an attempt to stifle democracy.

These restrictions came into effect on March 15 after the “rules of procedure and conduct of business in state assembly” were amended. The changes were made by the state assembly secretariat and endorsed by speaker Seetasharan Sharma. The new rules say the state cabinet’s confidence motion will be given precedence over any no-confidence motion against the government on the floor of the House.

An MLA speaking in the House must withdraw his words immediately and cannot argue when the assembly speaker terms as “unparliamentary” any word or parts of a sentence by the lawmaker, the amended rules say.

If a member criticises another lawmaker, he or she should be present in the House to listen to the other person’s response. “If he remains absent, it’s violation of parliamentary etiquette,” says an assembly circular.

AP Singh, principal secretary in the assembly secretariat, said the rules and ethics committees suggested the changes. “These were tabled in the state assembly for a week to seek suggestions and objections from legislators, but there was none. Thus, the amended rules came into effect from March 15,” he said.

The Opposition in the BJPruled state alleged that the government pushed the changes without its knowledge to gag its voice. Congress lawmaker Sachin Yadav, a member of assembly rules committee, said, “I was present at the meeting. There was a brief discussion but no final draft was shown to me. We never knew a report on changed rules was tabled in assembly. We will protest against this.”

The Congress submitted a notice for a no-trust resolution against speaker Sharma.