Himanta Biswa Sarma, who joined the BJP from Congress, today asserted that criticism of a political person does not tantamount to drawing Breach of Privilege proceedings against him in the Assembly.
"The Speaker of the Assembly is a political person and he will contest elections. So, we have the right to criticise him," claimed Sarma while addressing a press conference here.
The former Congress heavyweight's comments came soon after the Assam Assembly today unanimously decided to move a Breach of Privilege motion against him (Sarma) who had criticised the Speaker for suspending 12 MLAs on the opening day of the Winter Session yesterday.
"Will we not be able to criticise the Speaker in the various political meetings which we will be addressing in the run up to the Assembly elections? Let him announce that he is not contesting the polls," the former minister said.
"Political criticism of political opponents is not Breach of Privilege. I am not afraid. When I was in Congress, I was not afraid of Rahul Gandhi. Will I be afraid of you all (local Congress leaders) now?" Sarma asked.
Assam Parliamentary Affairs minister Rockybul Hussain
drew the attention of the House earlier today to media reports about Sarma criticising the Speaker and dragging his son's ticket issue into it and also charging that the Chief Minister had influenced him.
"This has hurt the dignity of the Speaker as well as the House. Sarma also lowered the status of the House, which runs only as per law," Hussain said.
Himanta was also critical of Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.
"We are opponents now. That is part of politics. The CM is attacking me out of frustration," he alleged.
"He (Gogoi) accused us (BJP) of touching our leaders' feet. BJP has a tradition by which the elders' feet are touched.
"When 72 Congress MLAS demanded his (Gogoi) resignation, he remained not with the confidence of his legislature party, but only with the confidence of Rahul Gandhi," Sarma maintained.
Himanta also charged Gogoi with misleading the people by telling utilisation certificates (UCs) for central funds were submitted, when as on March 31, 2014, UCs were pending for Rs 11,834 crore.
