Himachal monsoon session begins amid BJP Congress protests

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BJP alleges corruption and stalled development, while Congress accuses Opposition of disrupting proceedings to avoid debates on inflation and other public issues.

Shimla ,August 24

The third day of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly’s, Monsoon Session began amid protests on Monday, with BJP and Congress legislators staging demonstrations against each other on the Assembly premises before the House proceedings started.

The BJP targeted the state government over alleged corruption, with party MLAs carrying briefcases as they arrived at the assembly, raising slogans. Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur alleged that the government was “drenched in corruption from head to toe.”

Thakur claimed that Congress leaders themselves had accused the government of sending three briefcases to Delhi and keeping two at the Chief Minister’s Office. He alleged that no work was being done without money and that development in the state had remained stalled for the past four years.

He said the BJP wanted the Assembly to function and raise issues concerning the people, but alleged that the Congress was avoiding discussion. Thakur also accused the ruling party of making false allegations against BJP legislators over alleged disrespect to the national anthem.

The BJP leader said the Opposition had sought video footage of the Assembly proceedings from the first day of the session, but it had not been provided. He asserted that the BJP would not tolerate any alleged disrespect to the national song.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri accused the Opposition of repeatedly disrupting the House to divert attention from major issues such as inflation, alleged donation scams and paper leaks.

Agnihotri said the ruling party wanted discussions on issues concerning the people and maintained that the Congress respected both the national song and the national anthem. He said the Assembly functioned according to its rules and the Constitution.

The Deputy Chief Minister accused the BJP of avoiding public issues, saying inflation was among the biggest concerns facing the country. He claimed sugar prices had reached Rs 80 per kg and other essential commodities had also become more expensive, while alleging that the BJP was focused on political posturing.