Chief Minister Vijay Rupani appeals to Congress to withdraw the motion against Speaker Rajendra Trivedi
Even as both the BJP and Congress seem to be sticking to their positions, efforts are underway to ensure that the No-Confidence Motion against Assembly Speaker Rajendra Trivedi which was moved by the Congress on Thursday is withdrawn.
Speaking with reporters, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said that no-confidence motions have been moved against speakers in Gujarat in the past, but they have never been debated in the House.
“I have appealed to the Congress to withdraw the no-confidence motion keeping in mind Gujarat’s legislative history,” Rupani said, while asking Congress to delink the issue of suspension of three of its MLAs with the motion.
“What happened in Gujarat was unprecedented. It cannot be taken lightly and the Speaker has suspended the three MLAs under powers granted to him. It is not right to link the two issues,” the CM said.
The Congress, however, doesn’t appear in the mood to back off.
Leader of Opposition Paresh Dhanani said that the Speaker was elected unanimously, but many Congress MLAs were unhappy with the partisan way in which the House was being run.
“We believe that the House should not witness the debate on the no confidence motion, but at the same time, it is equally important that the House is run as per the rules. We are open for negotiations, but if suspension of our MLAs is not revoked, we will take legal recourse,” Dhanani said.
Speaker Rajendra Trivedi had suspended two Congress MLAs for three years, and one for a year for indulging in violence in the House last week. The Opposition has asked the Speaker to specify the rules under which its member were suspended for such a long duration, even as CM Rupani insisted that the speaker has wide powers and can suspend erring members.
Senior minister Bhupendrasinh Solanki said that there have been several instances of MLAs being suspended for a year or more in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and other states.
A senior leader of BJP said the entire suspension episode was a part of the BJP’s strategy to win three seats in Rajya Sabha polls. “It was a part of strategy to provoke members of the Congress so they misbehave and get suspended and cannot take part in voting for polls. But things took an ugly turn and members came to blows in house.”
‘WIDE POWERS’
- Speaker Trivedi suspended two Cong MLAs for three years, and one for a year for indulging in violence in the House.
- Oppn has asked Speaker to specify rules under which member were suspended.
- CM Vijay Rupani insists the speaker has wide powers and can suspend erring members.
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