The Madhya Pradesh Assembly was adjourned sine-die on Wednesday after the opposition Congress moved a no-confidence motion against Speaker Sitasharan Sharma for allegedly acting in favour of the ruling party. The session was adjourned six days ahead of schedule.
According to the governor’s notification, the budget session of the Assembly was originally scheduled for 18 days between February 26 to March 28. However, with the Congress presenting a no-confidence motion against the speaker, the House witnessed unruly scenes.
Leader of opposition Ajay Singh submitted a three-page no-confidence motion to the Vidhan Sabha secretary under Rule 145 of MP Assembly Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business and Article 179 of Indian Constitution. Signed by three MLAs, the no-confidence motion alleged the speaker was acting in a partisan manner and not allowing discussion on serious issues like atrocities against women. The no-confidence motion mentioned that the speaker had failed to protect the interests of the opposition.
Immediately after question hour on Wednesday, Sharma and the parliamentary affairs minister hurriedly finished the legislative work scheduled for the coming days. Within hours of passing all the pending resolutions and budgetary discussions, the house was adjourned.
In the last 15 years of BJP rule in Madhya Pradesh, the first term of the government—between 2003 to 2008—saw just 158 days of Assembly meetings, while the second term—between 2008 to 2013—witnessed 167 meetings. The Congress regime during 1993 to 1998 had 282 Assembly meetings, while the Congress' term between 1998 to 2003 had 288 meetings.