Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly proceedings adjourned until Thursday amidst chaos over Governor’s English address

Raipur The proceedings of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly were adjourned until Thursday amidst chaos over Governor Bishwabhushan Harichandan’s address in English. Now, discussions over the Governor’s address and the supplementary budget will take place on Thursday. It’s worth mentioning that the three-day winter session of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly began on Tuesday after the BJP came to power in the 2023 assembly elections.

During the Governor’s address in English, there was controversy regarding the language choice. Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel expressed concern, stating that not everyone understands English, emphasizing the need for the speech to be delivered in Hindi. Meanwhile, the opposition created a ruckus over farmer suicides and the issue of a two lakh bonus. Amidst the uproar, the Governor continued his speech, expressing gratitude to the newly elected members of the sixth Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly. He highlighted the sanctity of democracy and welcomed the newly elected members to this revered temple of democracy. The opposition criticized the use of English in the Assembly, suggesting that fewer individuals understood English, and thus, the speech should have been delivered in Hindi. Nevertheless, the Governor persisted with his address, acknowledging the efforts of thousands of officers and officials who contributed significantly to the conduct of the Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh. During the speech, amidst opposition protests, the issue of farmer suicides and the demand for a two-year bonus for farmers were vociferously raised. Despite the uproar, the Governor continued his speech, recognizing the significant voter turnout in areas affected by Naxalism, reflecting the strengthened resolve of rural and forest-dwelling populations in safeguarding their democracy. He expressed hope that his government’s welfare initiatives would reinforce their trust. The Governor assured a sensitive approach toward the development of all sections of society, including scheduled castes, tribes, Other Backward Classes (OBCs), women, youth, farmers, forest dwellers, rural populations, and those engaged in traditional occupations. After his address, the Chief Minister presented the supplementary budget. Regarding the delay in the cabinet expansion, the opposition took a dig at the government, comparing the swift decisions made for farmers within two hours of the Congress party forming the government in 2018, contrasting it with the current delay. One member likened the Chief Minister to a puppeteer, stating that despite his capabilities, he seemed to be working like a puppet as the cabinet expansion had not yet occurred. He expressed a desire for the Chief Minister to make decisions independently, considering the mandate given by the people of Chhattisgarh. In response to the puppeteer analogy, another former minister mentioned that the Congress party is functioning as if it is the government itself, while former ministers still perceive themselves as ministers, seemingly oblivious to the fact that the government has changed and trust has diminished. “The Congress is getting jittery. Raipur West MLA Rajesh Munat said that whatever Modi ji has guaranteed, we will fulfill 100%. It is our responsibility, as our leaders have made it clear. Today, on the very first day, the Congress is getting jittery; just wait a bit.” \Meeting of the Working Committee in the Legislative Assembly Before the proceedings in the House began, there was a meeting of the Working Committee. Present at this meeting in the Assembly’s meeting hall were the Chief Minister, Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh, Opposition leader Charan Das Mahant, Deputy Chief Ministers Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma, and MLAs Ajay Chandrakar and Kawasi Lakhma.