Chandigarh, October 8
The last session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, before the state goes to the polls early next year, was washed out with both the ruling SAD-BJP combine and the Congress jousting over rules of procedure and making shortshrift of various Bills tabled in the House, all of which were passed without a discussion.

Both the ruling regime and the Opposition refused to give any leeway to each other during two consecutive sessions held today. While the SAD claimed that the Opposition seemed to have perfected the art of putting its point across and then walking out, the Congress gave the impression that the issues it wanted to take up would be sidetracked in case the Chief Minister had his way.

In such a situation, the Assembly Speaker had no option but to hurriedly pass 10 Bills, including one pertaining to his own perks as well as those of members, amidst pandemonium by Congress legislators.

The SAD, fresh from the realisation that it was caught on the wrong foot during the session held on October 5, had drawn up a clear plan for today’s session. So, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal got up immediately after completion of the Question Hour to make a statement. Sources said the CM wanted to talk about development and recent concessions the state government had managed to win from the Centre. It included an upcoming Borlaug Institute and a Defence Services Centre.

However, the Opposition, led by Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, refused to let the CM speak. Bhattal said the Opposition should first be allowed to take up issues of public interest, as was the norm during Zero Hour.

This started a debate on rules of procedure with Parliamentary Affairs minister Tikshan Sud and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal claiming that Rule 56 of the rules of procedure allows a minister to make a statement with the permission of the Speaker.

Bhattal while accusing Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon of being biased towards the Opposition said if the latter was so concerned about procedure he should have replied to her letter demanding a discussion on several issues.

The Speaker was forced to adjourn the House twice in the morning session for half an hour each with the Opposition not letting the Chief Minister make his statement.

The battle over rules of procedure continued when the Assembly reconvened for the second session. This time, too, the adamant Opposition didn’t allow the CM to speak.

When the Speaker gave up and decided to continue with other business, including passage of several Bills, Opposition members trooped into the Well of the House and jostled with the marshals. They also raised slogans against the government and the Speaker. Finally, the House was adjourned sine die.