Opposition Congress raises farmer’s suicide in assembly, stages walkout

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha witnessed noisy scenes with the opposition Congress bringing a notice for an adjournment motion over the recent farmer suicide case in the tribal Narayanpur district, which was disallowed by the speaker—leading to opposition members stating a walkout.The session began with speaker Raman Singh, chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai, leader of opposition Charandas Mahant, and other members paying tribute and observing a two-minute silence for former members Leelaram Bhojwani and Ramlal Bhardwaj who died during the inter-session period. Later, Congress legislator Lakheshwar Baghel stood up saying that the issue of recent farmer suicide in tribal Narayanpur district in Bastar region needs to be discussed in the house through an adjournment motion. However, BJP’s Ajay Chandrakar said that it was not part of the day’s agenda. senior Congress MLA Bhupesh Baghel insisted that the discussion should be held as the incident took place soon after the formation of the new government and a day before the assembly session began. He requested a debate on the notice for adjournment motion.Brijmohan Agrawal (BJP) said that there should be any discussion on notice for adjournment motion as the supplementary budget needs to be discussed while Dharamlal Kaushik (BJP) also supported the state, leading to a brief argument with Baghel citing it to be a violation of rules.Speaker Raman Singh explained to the House the routine procedures of the first session of the newly elected government that witnesses MLAs’ oath, Governor’s speech, and discussion of the Governor’s speech and the members can share their views during the discussion but the session cannot have zero hour or adjournment motion. This led to noisy scenes and banging tables with opposition Congress members staging a walkout.