Haryana Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Thursday accused the BJP government of resorting to “dictatorial ways” to avoid answering questions on law and order, Gurugram waterlogging, farmers, unemployment and the ongoing sanitation workers’ strike.
The confrontation spilled into the Haryana Assembly on the opening day of its Monsoon Session, with proceedings adjourned twice amid uproar over Congress allegations that its legislators were manhandled while entering the Vidhan Sabha.
Eight Congress MLAs were subsequently suspended by the Chair, with Hooda alleging that opposition members were being denied adequate opportunity to raise public issues.
The former chief minister said the Congress had submitted Adjournment Motions and Calling Attention Motions on several matters but accused the government of trying to evade debate.
He also pointed to the sanitation workers’ strike, saying garbage was accumulating across cities while the government remained indifferent to the situation.
Black-clad MLAs stage march
Earlier in the morning, Congress MLAs dressed in black and led by Hooda marched from the High Court roundabout towards the Vidhan Sabha.
The legislators carried placards highlighting issues concerning young people and sanitation workers, besides allegations surrounding the theft of Ram temple donations and various scams.
Security personnel stopped the protesting legislators at the entrance to the Assembly complex, leading to an altercation.
Congress members alleged they were pushed and manhandled during the confrontation. Hooda claimed his shirt was torn and that several party legislators suffered injuries.
The incident subsequently became a major flashpoint inside the House, where Congress members demanded answers over the conduct of security personnel.
Hooda said the opposition asked the Speaker whether the action at the gate had been carried out on his instructions. He further alleged that Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini used an unparliamentary expression during the exchange and demanded an apology.
The treasury benches rejected the allegation and maintained that no such expression had been used.
Saini rejects allegations
Saini dismissed the Congress claims of mistreatment as false, saying neither Hooda nor any other opposition legislator had been prevented from entering the House.
The chief minister said he had obtained details about what happened at the Vidhan Sabha gate and maintained that all legislators were permitted to enter with due respect.
He accused the Congress of arriving at the Assembly with a predetermined agenda and creating disruptions instead of participating in substantive debate.
Saini also criticised the opposition's decision to wear black clothes during the protest, remarking that it was unfortunate that senior Congress leaders had been made to dress in black.
He accused the party of relying on falsehoods and maintained that the government was prepared to answer questions raised through the appropriate parliamentary procedures.
House sees repeated disruptions
The competing claims over the incident triggered heated exchanges as the Monsoon Session got underway.
Congress members repeatedly raised the alleged manhandling, while the government insisted that the opposition was creating disorder and undermining the dignity of the legislature.
Hooda maintained that the protest reflected frustration over the government's response to problems affecting people across Haryana, including waterlogging in Gurugram, law and order concerns and difficulties faced by farmers and young people.
Saini countered that the Assembly was meant for discussion and debate and said the government was willing to respond to issues legitimately brought before the House.
The confrontation, suspensions and repeated adjournments ensured a turbulent beginning to the Monsoon Session, setting the stage for further clashes between the government and opposition over the issues Congress has sought to place at the centre of the Assembly proceedings.