BJP MLAs' Sparse Attendance in Gairsain Assembly Draws Criticism
For the second consecutive day, the Uttarakhand legislative assembly in Gairsain witnessed a notable absence of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members following the lunch break. On Thursday afternoon, only 11 BJP legislators were present in the House, a figure significantly lower than the attendance from the Congress opposition benches.
Speaker Expresses Concern Over Ruling Party Participation
Taking note of the situation, assembly Speaker Ritu Khanduri Bhushan directed the parliamentary affairs minister to ensure better attendance from the ruling party. "It is concerning that, like yesterday, today too only a handful of ruling party MLAs are present in the House," she stated, urging efforts to improve participation in post-lunch sessions.
Congress MLAs welcomed the remark, highlighting that nearly their entire strength was present compared to the BJP's minimal numbers. "This shows the seriousness of BJP MLAs in running the House. On one hand, they want a shortened budget session, and even then they are unwilling to participate in the proceedings," they commented, questioning the ruling party's commitment.
Earlier Warnings on MLA Absenteeism
This is not the first instance of attendance issues in the assembly. Earlier, the Speaker had directed MLAs not to leave after question hour and to attend remaining proceedings. The observation came after some legislators who submitted questions were absent when called upon. "It is highly concerning that these legislators submit questions but are not present in the House when their turn comes. Please ensure that you take part in the proceedings," she added, emphasizing the need for active engagement.
The ongoing budget session has been marked by debates over its duration, with the BJP advocating for a shorter timeline. However, the low attendance from ruling party MLAs has fueled opposition criticism, suggesting a lack of dedication to legislative duties. As the session progresses, all eyes are on whether the BJP will heed the Speaker's call for improved participation to ensure smooth functioning of the House.
