Uproar in Himachal Assembly over Panchayat poll roster change; House adjourned amid BJP protest

The BJP had moved an adjournment motion seeking a discussion on the Congress government's decision to introduce changes in the reservation roster for Panchayat elections. However, Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania kept the request pending, triggering protests from the opposition benches.

Objecting to the Speaker's decision, BJP members raised slogans and demanded immediate discussion on the issue. The ruckus forced the Chair to adjourn the proceedings for 20 minutes.

Responding to the opposition, Pathania stated that during the winter session, he had ruled that if a notice under Rule 67 is admitted, the discussion would be taken up on the same day.

The Speaker rejected the motion. He indicated that the matter was under consideration, but did not allow immediate debate, further agitating BJP legislators.

Earlier, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday staged a protest outside the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha, accusing the state government of deliberately delaying Panchayat elections and undermining constitutional provisions.

Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, while addressing mediapersons ahead of the Assembly proceedings, alleged that the government led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was attempting to avoid holding Panchayat polls through administrative and legal manoeuvres.

"Panchayat elections in Himachal Pradesh are constitutionally mandated after completion of their five-year term. These were due in December, but the government has been trying to delay them on one pretext or another," Thakur said.

He stated that after the matter reached the Himachal Pradesh High Court, directions were issued to conduct elections by April. However, the state government approached the Supreme Court of India, citing disaster-related concerns, which were rejected, with the apex court directing completion of elections by the end of May. (ANI)