BJP legislators allege neglect in House, write to state party chief
Deputy LOP Rathore refutes claim, says everyone is given chance to speak
JAIPUR: Some BJP MLAS, considered close to former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, have written a letter to state party chief Satish Poonia, complaining that they are being ignored in the assembly by the party’s House leaders.
Raje’s supporters recently held a meeting in the name of a ‘chintan baithak’ in Kota city and pitched for her to be the chief ministerial candidate in the next assembly polls.
About the contents of the letter, a senior MLA said on the condition of anonymity, “It is mentioned that the adjournment motions of those members are decided whose names are given by the Leader of Opposition and the Deputy Leader of Opposition. Some members are able to raise public issues daily through adjournment motions and many aren’t getting chance despite listing issues under the motion. We have urged the party president to ensure that all are given equal opportunity.”
Adjournment motion is meant to draw the attention of the House to a recent matter of urgent public importance.
Former speaker and BJP
MLA Kailash Meghwal, who has signed the letter, said, “Some of the old and experienced party MLAS are feeling ignored; even I agree with them and so have signed the letter. Floor management is the responsibility of the Leader of Opposition and Whip. MLAS feel that they were ignored.”
He added, “These MLAS feel that they aren’t given the importance they deserve in the assembly proceedings. This feeling should come to an end and all should be given equal chance.”
Senior BJP MLA Narpat Singh Rajvi said, “I have signed the letter as I didn’t like the idea that issues such as adjournment motion would be taken up after the nod from the Leader of Opposition. This is against the practice of assembly and has never happened in the last 70 years.”
Around 20 MLAS, including Kali Charan Saraf, Pratap Singh Singhvi, Pushpendra Singh, and Rampratap Kasaniya, have written to Poonia, complaining of partiality in the House.
“How can the Leader of Opposition or Deputy Leader of Opposition decide who will be bringing in the motion? Only those are allowed who are in sync with them. There is resentment among the MLAS as their voice is muzzled,” a BJP MLA who signed the letter said, requesting not be named.
Refuting the charges, Deputy Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore said, “There is no such thing and everyone is given
KAILASH MEGHWAL,
former Speaker and BJP MLA
to speak. Around 47 MLAS spoke on the Governor’s speech.”
On raising the adjournment motion, he said it is the prerogative
of the assembly Speaker. “I am not aware of any such letter. There might be some misunderstanding,” said Rathore.
BJP state chief Satish Poonia could not be contacted as he is in Delhi to attend a party meeting. Commenting on the letter, Leader of Opposition Gulab Chand Kataria said, “I am not aware of such a letter. But all the members are consulted on adjournment motion and then names are given. The adjournment motion is by the opposition and in a day eight are allowed, which are of urgent nature. It is the Speaker who takes the decision on the motion.”
Kataria said he will speak to the state party chief on his return and discuss the issue with members in the upcoming legislature party meet.