Congress leader and former Assam Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia on Thursday, 16 July wrote a formal letter to Assembly Speaker Ranjeet Kumar Das, alleging that the Speaker's reported attendance at a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) internal policy-making committee meeting had compromised the constitutional neutrality of the Speaker's office and dealt a blow to Parliamentary democracy in the state.

The Core Allegation

Saikia's letter, addressed to the Speaker on the occasion of his second term, opened with congratulations before pivoting to what he described as 'deep concern' over declining Parliamentary standards during the ongoing Assam Assembly session. At the heart of the complaint was a media report that Speaker Das had attended the BJP's policy-making committee meeting at the party's Basistha state headquarters on 13 July.

Saikia drew a distinction between a Speaker participating in a public political event — which he said could be understood — and attending a closed-door internal policy meeting of the ruling party, which he argued was fundamentally incompatible with the constitutional obligation of impartiality that the Speaker's office demands.

Unprecedented in 89 Years, Congress Claims

The Congress leader described the development as unprecedented in the nearly 89-year history of the Assam Assembly, warning that such conduct raises serious questions over the Chair's impartiality and risks eroding public confidence in democratic institutions. Notably, the allegation targets not merely a political act but a structural conflict — the Speaker, who arbitrates legislative proceedings, reportedly attending a ruling-party strategy session.

Ministerial Conduct in Question Hour

Beyond the Speaker controversy, Saikia also criticised the conduct of Ministers during Question Hour and Zero Hour. He alleged that rather than directly answering Opposition queries, Ministers had repeatedly resorted to political attacks, counter-questions, and deflection that shifted responsibility back onto the Opposition.

He specifically cited recent exchanges involving Information and Public Relations Minister Pijush Hazarika and Finance Minister Ajanta Neog, claiming their responses were inconsistent with constitutional principles and established Parliamentary conventions. According to Saikia, Ministers are constitutionally bound to take decisions and enforce laws independently, not to suggest that action is contingent on the Opposition's stance.

What Saikia Has Demanded

The Congress leader has urged the Speaker to review recent Assembly proceedings, issue fresh guidelines to Ministers on Parliamentary conduct, and enforce strict decorum inside the House. He has also proposed convening an all-party meeting to build consensus on protecting legislative dignity, constitutional accountability, and the Speaker's neutrality.

No Response Yet from BJP or Speaker's Office

As of the time of filing, neither the BJP nor the Speaker's office had issued any response to Saikia's allegations. The controversy is likely to intensify scrutiny on the Assam Assembly's proceedings, with the Opposition signalling it intends to press the issue through institutional channels. How Speaker Das responds — or whether he responds at all — will set the tone for the remainder of the session.