Congress stages walkout from Himachal assembly

DHARAMSALA - The opposition Congress party Thursday staged a walkout from the Himachal Pradesh assembly protesting a party legislator’s alleged ‘humiliation’ by government officials.

Raising the issue after the question hour, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Vidya Stokes asked Speaker Tulsi Ram about the fate of the notice given by legislator Neeraj Bharti in the house.

Legislator Kaul Singh Thakur conveyed the party’s displeasure over the delay in initiating action against the government oficials concerned or referring the issue to the privileges committee.

At a function earlier this month the Congress legislator was invited by the department of social justice but later the function was cancelled apparently due to some political considerations.

The speaker informed the Congress legislators that he had asked the department concerned to reply to the notice and thereafter any action could be taken in this regard.

However, this did not satisfy the opposition, which staged a walkout from the house.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister J.P. Nadda condemned the walkout and said: “The opposition is working in a casual manner and is not serious on raising issues related to the common man.”