Will the 12-day Monsoon Session of MP Assembly Be Stormy?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Opposition Congress to challenge BJP on key issues.
- Significant Bills and Supplementary Budget expected.
- 3,377 questions submitted by legislators.
- Protests banned in the Assembly premises.
- Creative protest methods employed in previous sessions.
Bhopal, July 28 (NationPress) The upcoming Monsoon Session of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly is poised to be tumultuous as the Opposition Congress aims to hold the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accountable on critical subjects such as corruption and women's safety.
The Assembly is set to conduct significant business over its 10 sittings from July 28 to August 8.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's administration is anticipated to introduce nearly six major Bills along with a Supplementary Budget during this period.
Among the anticipated Bills, three are from the commercial tax division, two are focused on registration, and one pertains to GST.
The Finance Department is also expected to present an appropriation Bill, while the Labour Department has one Bill under consideration.
The Department of Higher Education plans to propose a Bill for renaming Vikram University to Samrat Vikram University.
However, two significant Bills—the fire safety Bill and the model tenancy Bill—are once again unlikely to be introduced. These drafts have been pending for years and remain delayed due to ongoing revision requests.
In anticipation of the Monsoon Session, Madhya Pradesh legislators have submitted a total of 3,377 questions, indicating a keen interest in the Assembly's transition to the e-Vidhan format.
Out of these, 2,076 questions were submitted online, while 1,301 questions were submitted offline.
The Congress, led by the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the state Assembly, Umang Singhar, is prepared to challenge the BJP government on various fronts, particularly concerning OBC reservation, corruption, increasing crimes against women and ST/SC communities, unemployment, and more.
LoP Singhar organized a meeting of party MLAs on Saturday to strategize on the issues that will be raised during the session.
Singhar informed IANS that Congress plans to address matters such as corruption in recruitment exams conducted by various departments, the dispossession of tribal lands, and the ongoing 27% reservation for OBCs.
As the session kicks off, it will be intriguing to observe the Opposition’s response, especially since protests and demonstrations have been banned on Assembly grounds.
The Assembly has implemented a prohibition on all forms of sloganeering and symbolic demonstrations, leading to a political controversy.
In previous sessions, the Congress has employed creative protest tactics, including one MLA donning a black mask to signify the government's evasion of public inquiries.
Another MLA appeared with a fake snake, accusing the administration of entangling itself around job vacancies. The use of skeleton costumes and gold bricks symbolized corruption, while chains highlighted debt issues.
A lone MLA from the BAP party even staged a fast at the feet of Gandhi's statue, drawing inspiration from the Mahatma.
In response to the ban on protests, LoP Singhar stated, "As the Opposition, we have the right to raise public issues, and Congress will take this opportunity. Such directives are issued by the ruling party to evade accountability, but we are ready for a debate."