The Manipur government on Tuesday blamed the Opposition for creating and disrupting the fourth session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, making it impossible for the session to proceed as scheduled.
Held after weeks of demand by the public and the Opposition for an assembly session to discuss the current crisis that has devastated the state since May 3, the fourth session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly held on Tuesday lasted just 11 minutes and was adjourned sine die.
Addressing the press on Tuesday at the DIPR after an unsuccessful Assembly session, Law and Education Minister Th Basantakumar blamed the Opposition, saying they were willing to discuss all issues confronting the state. However, the nature in which the five Opposition MLAs came towards the Speaker made it impossible to continue the session, he added.
Basantakumar said that the one-day session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly witnessed unruly behaviour by the Congress Party, leading to the disruption of proceedings and missed opportunities to discuss the pressing crisis.
The minister expressed concern over the disruption caused by the Congress party during the important fourth session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly.
The session, convened under Rule 271 of the Rule of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Manipur Legislative Assembly, was poised to address the critical present crisis, he added.
While the leader of the House managed to pass a resolution amid the chaos, Basantakumar likened the behaviour of Manipur's Congress Party to that of national leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Adhir Ranjan Choudhury, citing their recent actions in the Lok Sabha session.
Works Minister Govindas Konthoujam said that the assembly session was incomplete due to the unruly and unconditional behaviour of the opposition party Congress MLAs, terming it unfortunate.
“Even before the Speaker could utter a single word, the Opposition MLAs began shouting, preventing any productive dialogue. This unruly behaviour ultimately led to a missed opportunity for a comprehensive discussion on the state's current challenges,” Govindas said.
He said that in the Lok Sabha, the Congress party called for PR and asked for the reason behind PR not imposed in Manipur. Same in Manipur where the Congress MLAs behaved unruly without listening to the Speaker’s request for maintaining silence. The Speaker adjourned the House for half an hour and resumed again but the session could not be conducted due to shouting from the Opposition party, the works minister added.
“Congress wants PR in Manipur”, Govindas said, adding it is unfortunate.
The Business Advisory Committee of the Manipur Legislative Assembly had made provisions to alter the session's course under the Rule of Procedure and Conduct of Business. However, due to the persistent disturbance caused by the Congress, the session could not be carried out effectively.
