Chaos in Assam assembly as Cong demands probe against CM Himanta’s wife
The Congress has accused Sarma of helping a firm his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sharma is associated with get a central subsidy of ₹10 crore
Pandemonium broke out in the Assam Assembly on Friday (September 15) with the Opposition demanding a discussion on the allegation that a company linked to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife got government subsidy, leading to three adjournments before they walked out of the House for the rest of the day.
This comes a day after Congress accused Sarma of exercising his influence to help a firm his wife is associated with get a ₹10 crore government subsidy to establish a food processing plant in Assam’s Nagaon district. The charge led to a war of words between Sarma and Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, with the former rubbishing the allegations.
Raising the issue during Question Hour, Congress MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha asked Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Jogen Mohan if the plot of land in the Kaliabor area was allotted to Riniki Bhuyan Sharma's company under the state's 'Basundhara' scheme.
He also asked what documents were submitted to seek the allotment of the land, in connection with which the company allegedly received the central subsidy.
Speaker Biswajit Daimary maintained that the matter was not related to the original question listed by Purkayastha and that the chief minister was not present in the House.
However, Purkayastha persisted with the question, with several ministers getting on their feet and trading barbs with the opposition legislators.
As the chaos continued, the speaker adjourned the House for 30 minutes.
After the House reconvened, leader of opposition Debabrata Saikia of the Congress drew the attention of the Chair to the notice he gave for the discussion of the matter during Zero Hour.
As Deputy Speaker Numal Momin, who was in the chair, did not allow an immediate discussion, Congress MLAs along with the lone CPI(M) legislator and an Independent MLA trooped to the Well of the House, and began a dharna.
Saikia also demanded an inquiry into the allegations against the chief minister's wife.
The MLAs of the ruling BJP also went to the well of the House, and the chaos escalated. As both sides refused to budge, the House was adjourned for five minutes.
When the House reassembled after the second adjournment, the chaos continued with the opposition MLAs raising slogans against the government from the Well.
Asking them to return to their seats, Momin said, "You will be allowed (to raise the matter), but you have to keep patience."
As BJP MLAs also got into the well, and the ruckus went on, the House was again adjourned for 15 minutes.
When the House gathered again, deputy leader of opposition Rakibul Hussain said that as the Chair did not allow immediate discussion, the Congress MLAs were walking out for the rest of the day.
The lone CPI(M) MLA and the Independent MLA also joined them.
The land and subsidy issue also rocked the assembly on Thursday, following which the opposition staged a walkout.
The chief minister had on Thursday said he was willing to accept any punishment, including retirement from public life, if there was any evidence that his wife or her company, Pride East Entertainment, received or claimed any amount from the Centre.
(With inputs from agencies)
