'Acting Speaker' Or 'Pro Tem Speaker'? Haryana's New Assembly Kicks Off On Stormy Note

Congress MLA Hooda objected to the use of "Acting Speaker" in the Haryana Assembly, arguing it should be "pro tem Speaker." CM Saini cited instances from Hooda's tenure when the term was used.

Haryana CM Nayab Saini and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Friday clashed in the state assembly.

Source : PTI

Congress MLA Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Friday objected to the introduction of the designation of Acting Speaker in the Haryana Assembly. Hooda remarked, "This is the first time I’ve heard of an Acting Speaker. It has always been pro tem Speaker." Responding to his objection, CM Nayab Singh Saini cited instances from 2005 and 2009.

During the assembly session, Hooda stood up and addressed the Acting Speaker, saying, “I have been in the Assembly six times and in the Lok Sabha four times. This is the first time I’m hearing about an Acting Speaker. It has always been a pro tem Speaker. This means you are temporary. You’re the Speaker for the day. This is an insult to the Speaker’s chair, and it should be corrected.”

#WATCH | Chandigarh: In Haryana Assembly, Congress MLA Bhupinder Singh Hooda takes objection to the post of 'Acting Speaker - "I am hearing about Acting Speaker for the first time. It is always a pro tem Speaker...This is an insult to the chair of the Speaker...It should be… pic.twitter.com/bZ0YojCCcH

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CM Saini responded to Hooda by citing examples from Hooda’s own tenure, referring to "Acting Speakers" appointed during the Congress government. "On March 10, 2005, MLA Raghubir Kadian took oath as the Acting Speaker. This was during your [Hooda's] government. On October 26, 2009, Captain Ajay Singh served as Acting Speaker when the oath was taken. These examples are from your tenure, not mine," said Saini.

To this, Congress leader Bharat Bhushan Batra said that if there was a procedural lapse in the past, it should be corrected and not continued. Hooda said that if an incorrect term was indeed used in 2005 and 2009, it should have been pointed out at that time.  

In the midst of the debate, the Acting Speaker offered his personal view. He said, "If there is a legal issue concerning the terms Acting Speaker and pro tem Speaker, let it be changed. As in the Lok Sabha, there is a pro tem Speaker for the whole day, but an Acting Speaker may not be for the entire day."

Saini defused the situation, saying the terminology would be corrected in the records.