For the first time after being elected as the BJP national president in July 2014, Amit Shah today attended the ongoing budget session of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly.
Shah is an MLA from Naranpura seat of Ahmedabad. He arrived at the Assembly complex here at around evening. Shah was greeted by state education minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama, state BJP president R C Faldu and BJP chief whip in the Assembly Pankaj Desai.
"Shah then went to meet the Assembly Speaker Ganpat Vasava. After a brief interaction, Shah came into the House. He was greeted by all the BJP MLAs and ministers present in the House," Desai said.
After spending around 25 minutes in the House, Shah came out and went to meet Gujarat Chief Minister Anandi Patel in her office in the Assembly complex. The BJP chief then met BJP MLAs and ministers in Desai's office after the House was adjourned.
Since July 2014, three Assembly sessions took place, including the ongoing budget session, which commenced on February 23.
Shah had remained absent in previous sessions, which took place during July and November last year. It is believed that Shah came today to register his presence.
However, Desai said Shah came to meet the fellow partymen.
"It has been our wish that Shah spend some time with us and attend the ongoing session, which would give us an opportunity to meet him. Out of his love for us, he agreed and came voluntarily. There is no pressure on him under any rule" Desai said.
According to the article 190 (4) of Constitution, if an MLA remains absent without permission of the House for 60 days, the House can disqualify him and declare his seat vacant.
"The period of 60 days only include days when the House is in session. Further, it is applied to those who don't take prior permission. In the case of Shah, the House has already approved his leaves. Shah came today out of his own wish, not under any pressure," said Assembly Secretary D M Patel.
