Gujarat MLAs fire 9,000 salvos, most from BJP

Lack of intra-party democracy is taking a heavy toll on the governance in states as well as at the Centre. Clearly, the dictums of party bosses, regional satraps have eroded the intellect of the people’s representatives and have severely compromised the effectiveness of parliamentary democracy.

According to the sources in the state assembly more than 9,000 starred questions have been submitted for the current assembly session, out of which major portion is of BJP MLAs.

As the Gujarat Assembly draws closer to the end of budget session, many BJP MLAs privately admit that leaders and coordinators of BJP legislative wing (BJP MLAs) take their signatures on blank forms, which are used to ask starred questions in the assembly during the Question Hour.

Perhaps this is why the questions asked by BJP MLAs are answered more in the assembly as it brings glory to the party rather than informing the house on issues concerning the common people.

In the assembly, Question Hour is considered as the most important time for MLAs who seek information on government’s action on issues concerning people of their respective constituencies.

A glance through the booklet of starred questions asked in the assembly shows the quality, motive and understanding of the MLAs on various issues. One of the BJP MLAs, troubled by the fact that such questions were being asked in his name, said on condition of anonymity, "This is not the first time that MLAs' have signed on nearly 70 to 100 forms for asking starred questions in the House. We have been doing it for long. It is a set tradition in the party whereby most of the MLAs submit the signed forms for the questions."

Another BJP MLA sarcastically said, "Sometimes even we don't know what has been asked in our name. Generally, not more than 10 starred questions have been taken up in the house during the question hour for discussion. So rest of the questions are not discussed." 

Rebel BJP MLA Kanubhai Kalsaria also confirmed the prevalence of such practice within the party. "Many of us had to sign the forms for the starred questions in the assembly prior to beginning of the session. I have also submitted it as we were instructed to do so. However, after I took up the Mahuva issue against Nirma cement plant, they stopped taking my signatures on the forms."

He added, "Many times, new MLAs, who are not much aware about the parliamentary system and assembly proceedings, happily sign the forms. The primary reason is that they are ignorant about the procedures involved in asking starred questions and they are also unclear about issues to be taken up. Moreover, they feel happy, when a question is asked in their name as it adds up to their performance in the assembly."

Commenting on the declining standards of the assembly proceedings, leader of opposition, Shaktisinh Gohil said, "Earlier, it was an unwritten tradition that MLAs from the ruling party didn't ask much questions as they belonged to the ruling party and could discuss public issues directly with the government. It has ensured that there was enough time for MLAs of the opposition parties to seek answers from the government."

He added, "Now, signatures of ruling party MLAs are taken in advance on number of forms for the starred questions. These efforts are made to ensure that MLAs belonging to opposition get little time in the House to ask questions related to government's misdeeds and corruption during the question hour."