UP Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana Rebukes Ministers for Unparliamentary Remarks
In a significant development at the Uttar Pradesh Assembly on Thursday, Speaker Satish Mahana voiced strong displeasure over what he termed as 'unsolicited' remarks made by two senior ministers during House proceedings. The incident has sparked discussions on parliamentary decorum and the conduct of ministers in legislative debates.
First Incident: Minister Nandi's Controversial Statement
Cabinet Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi, while replying to a question posed by Samajwadi Party MLA Virendra Yadav from Ghazipur, made a contentious assertion. Nandi suggested that opposition MLAs were asking questions during the Question Hour with an intent to extort money from industrialists. He stated, "I would like to inform the House that this is an era of the Yogi government where no one is allowed to take the law into their own hands."
Speaker Mahana promptly intervened, terming Nandi's remarks as "too strong" and inappropriate. He clarified that the MLA's question was not directed at any specific industrialist but pertained to general policy matters. Mahana advised the minister to refrain from such statements, emphasizing that if the supplementary question had malicious intent, the minister could have raised a formal concern instead of making sweeping allegations.
Second Incident: Minister Singh's Boastful Comment
In a separate instance, Horticulture Minister Dinesh Pratap Singh, while responding to a supplementary question from SP MLA Dr. Ragini Sonker, remarked that he is always proactive in addressing constituency works. Singh mentioned that he had even called up the Speaker to inquire if any tasks needed attention in his constituency.
This comment did not sit well with Speaker Mahana, who expressed his displeasure openly. Mahana retorted, "Being a minister, it is your duty to work for the people through MLAs in their respective constituencies. What is the need to boast about it in the House?" He stressed that such self-praise undermines the collaborative spirit expected in parliamentary settings.
Implications for Parliamentary Conduct
These incidents highlight ongoing tensions within the UP Assembly, where the Speaker has taken a firm stance against remarks deemed unparliamentary or self-aggrandizing. Mahana's interventions underscore the importance of maintaining decorum and focusing on substantive policy discussions rather than personal or accusatory statements.
The rebuke serves as a reminder to all members of the legislative body to adhere to established protocols and avoid comments that could derail productive debates. As the Assembly continues its sessions, observers note that such episodes may influence future interactions between the ruling party and opposition members.
