BJP Legislators Exit Jharkhand Assembly, Marandi Accuses Speaker of Partiality
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Synopsis
BJP MLAs walked out of the Jharkhand Assembly on March 5, accusing the Speaker of bias against the opposition. They raised concerns over unfair treatment during budget discussions and ongoing issues like illegal coal transport.
Key Takeaways
- BJP MLAs staged a walkout in protest of bias.
- Accusations against Speaker for partiality.
- Opposition voices are systematically suppressed.
- Concerns over illegal coal transportation.
- Criticism of JMM and Congress alliance.
Ranchi, March 5 (NationPress) BJP legislators executed a walkout from the Jharkhand Assembly during the discussion on the state budget on Wednesday, claiming bias against the opposition.
Addressing the press outside the assembly, senior BJP figure and former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi charged Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato with favoring the ruling party. "The Speaker is conducting the House in a capricious manner. Ruling party MLAs receive more speaking time, while the voices of opposition are deliberately muted," he asserted.
Marandi pointed out that opposition members are often interrupted during their speeches. "Today, BJP MLA Neera Yadav faced repeated disruptions in the budget discussion. When she sought extra time to make up for the interruptions, the Speaker denied it. This represents pure arbitrariness and an effort to silence the opposition. We walked out in protest," he stated.
He also condemned the JMM for threatening to obstruct mineral transport, labeling it a tactic to shield illegal coal activities. "Each day, 400 to 500 trucks of coal are illegally transported from Dhanbad-Bokaro under the full protection of the police, acting on orders from the state government," he claimed.
In response to the ruling party's assertion that the Centre owes Jharkhand Rs 1.36 lakh crore, Marandi remarked: "Despite numerous requests, the JMM has not provided a clear breakdown of these dues. This issue is a remnant of the Congress, with whom the JMM is currently allied."
He further emphasized the commitment of the Modi government to resolve Jharkhand's issues, but stated that the Congress-JMM alliance is solely focused on exploiting the state's resources.
Earlier, opposition legislators joined protests led by ruling party MLAs who criticized the government in the assembly concerning a Rs 100 crore embezzlement scandal in Jharkhand's Drinking Water and Sanitation Department.
BJP MLA Naveen Jaiswal commented: "If ruling party MLAs must struggle so hard for action, one can imagine how the government addresses concerns raised by the opposition."
