Cong stages walkout from Himachal Assembly against rejection of adjournment motion

The opposition Congress today staged a walk out from the state Assembly during Question Hour to protest the rejection of an adjournment motion on the issue of drug menace, mafia raj and deteriorating law and order in the state.

As the House assembled on the second day of the Monsoon session today, Leader of Opposition Mukesh Agnihotri raised the issue, saying the Speaker should give a ruling on the notice of adjournment motion submitted under Rule 67 by Congress members Ram Lal Thakur and Asha Kumari.

However, Speaker Rajiv Bindal said the adjournment motion referred to three different issues, including drug menace, law and order, and mafia raj, but under Rule 67, only one issue may be discussed.

At this, the opposition leader argued and insisted for a discussion, but the Speaker did not agree.

The opposition members then started to raise slogans in the House.

Subsequently, they staged a walkout during the Question Hour.

Later, replying to a question on the Congress walk out, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said his government was not running away from any discussion but the opposition needed to raise them under appropriate House rules.