SKM Legislators take protest to the Well of the House

GANGTOK, 25 June: The third day of the Budget Session started on a stormy note today when Opposition MLAs of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha, demanding that the Leader of the House explain or apologise for the use of the word “anti-national” while referring to some SKM MLAs yesterday, stormed into the Well of the House and disrupted the proceedings.

Assembly proceedings were held up for 7 minutes in the ruckus until Speaker KN Rai brought order back into the hall. He assured the SKM members that he would examine their demand and take action accordingly.

The SKM MLAs have demanded an unconditional apology and clarification from the CM on his comment. The SKM MLA from Martam-Rumtek, Dr. Mechung Bhutia moved a notice demanding the apology and also sought that the statement be withdrawn and also expunged from the records of Assembly proceedings.

Former Speaker, KT Gyaltsen, who handled one instance of disruption by Mr. Tamang in the House during the last term, in a press communiqué issued on today’s incident, said: “What we saw today was unfortunate. The disruption was wholly unwarranted and violated the established Rules of Procedure and Conduct of the Assembly. When SDF had first come to power in 1994, and returned in 1999, there was a sizable opposition and even they used to raise issues. But the kind of disruptions we saw today is unprecedented and should be condemned by all Sikkimese. We are for peace and we want to set an example for the rest of the Country. That is the kind of message that should be going out from our Legislators.”

He also had some advice for the SKM legislators. “I’ll suggest that they should look at the larger interest of Sikkim and give up disruption tactics and opposing for the sake of opposing. Most of them are first time MLAs and they should focus on having a positive impact within the framework of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct. I’m sure that the Leader of the House, Hon’ble Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, will take their views positively.”

The Question Hour was held after the melee had subsided. The remainder of the day saw no disruptions and featured smart debate and discussions.

After the Question Hour, SKM’s Prem Singh Tamang sought time for zero hour to raise questions on priority basis. This request was turned down by the Speaker who adjourned the House for tea.