Assam Assembly witnessed chaos on Friday as opposition MLAs demonstrated seeking a discussion over the allegation that a company linked to CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma received subsidy from the Central government. The House was adjourned three times after which Opposition MLAs walked out for the rest of the day.
Congress MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha raised the issue during Question Hour and asked Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Jogen Mohan if the plot of land in the Kaliabor area was allotted to Riniki Bhuyan Sarma's company under the state's 'Basundhara' scheme, as reported by news agency PTI. He further asked what documents were submitted to seek the allotment of the land, in connection with which the company allegedly received the central subsidy.
Speaker Biswajit Daimary maintained that the matter was not related to the original question listed by Purkayastha and that the chief minister was not present in the House. However, Purkayastha persisted with the question and several ministers got up on their feet and started trading barbs with the opposition MLAs.
Amid the ruckus, the speaker adjourned the House for 30 minutes. After the House reconvened, leader of opposition Debabrata Saikia of the Congress drew the attention of the Chair to the notice he gave for the discussion of the matter during Zero Hour.
After Deputy Speaker Numal Momin, who was in the chair, did not give permission for immediate discussion, Congress MLAs, along with the lone CPI (M) legislator and an independent MLA, trooped to the Well of the House and began a dharna, as reported by PTI. Saikia also demanded an inquiry into the allegations against the chief minister's wife.
The MLAs of the ruling BJP also went to the Well, and the chaos escalated. As both sides refused to budge, the House was adjourned for 5 minutes.
After the second adjournment, when the House resumed, the chaos continued with the opposition MLAs raising slogans against the government from the Well. Asking them to return to their seats, Momin said, "You will be allowed (to raise the matter), but you have to keep patience," as quoted by PTI.
As the ruckus continued after BJP MLAs also got into the Well, the House was again adjourned for 15 minutes. When the House gathered again, deputy leader of opposition Rakibul Hussain said that as the Chair did not allow immediate discussion, the Congress MLAs were walking out for the rest of the day. The lone CPI(M) MLA and the Independent MLA also joined them. The land and subsidy issue also rocked the assembly on Thursday, following which the opposition staged a walkout.
Assam Congress Chief Bhupen Bora's 3 Questions To Himanta Over Wife Receiving Govt Subsidy
Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) Chief Bhupen Bora on Thursday raised three questions to state Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over the latter’s wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma’s firm receiving a subsidy of Rs 10 crore from the Centre. Firstly, Bora asked, "In case Riniki Bhuyan Sarma had not applied for the grant, then why and under what circumstances did Pride East Entertainment Private Limited's, the firm owned by her, name appeared as one of the beneficiaries of the grant?"
Secondly, Bora asked, "Why has the name of Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Pride East Entertainment Private Limited, been mentioned on the website of the Central Government as one of the beneficiaries?" The third and last question Bora asked was, "To make public the details of the balance sheet of Pride East Entertainment Private Limited since the period when Himanta Biswa Sarma was a cabinet minister in the BJP-led Assam government?"
The Assam Congress Chief also alleged that Chief Minister Sarma has tried to cover up the truth, adding that the recent tweet of Chief Minister Sarma that if it is proven that his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma has received the subsidy from the Central government, then he will give up public life is laughable, and he cannot befool the public anymore by such tweets.
Earlier on Thursday, Himanta Biswa Sarma said that he will retire from public life if it is proven that his wife's firm received a central subsidy. This comes after the Trinamool Congress (TMC) Assam unit on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take action against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma, and other family members, for allegedly getting a government subsidy.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi And Himanta Biswa Sarma Engage In War Of Words
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi and Sarma engaged in a war of words on the matter. Gogoi took to X and said that instead of typing on Twitter (X), Sarma should issue clarification on the matter. "Please be present in Assam Assembly and clarify instead of typing on Twitter. Congress MLAs in the morning have moved an adjournment motion to discuss the entire Pride Media- KMSY but you’re answer is lacking."
Himanta Biswa Sarma slammed Gogoi and said, "Please do not lecture me on what to do. Whether I decide to go to the assembly or a court of law against you, I will make that decision myself."
(With Inputs From Pallav Bora)