The Uttar Pradesh Assembly has created a record of sorts.
In the first 14 days of the Budget Session, the Assembly has worked without a single adjournment or even a disruption — a phenomenon that has not been seen in the past two decades.
The Bahujan Samaj Party, the main Opposition party in the state Assembly, did resort to slogan shouting during the governor’s address and later staged a walkout during the presentation of the Budget but that did not disrupt proceedings even for a minute.
Defending his party’s stand, Leader of Opposition Swami Prasad Maurya said, “We have decided to give some time to this government before we turn aggressive. There are hordes of issues — the law and order situation has plummeted but we do not want the people to think that we are attacking them from day one. Wait for the next session and you will see a more aggressive BSP.”
Deputy leader of the BJP legislature party Satish Mahana, meanwhile, said that his party was never known to cause disruptions. “It was the Samajwadi Party that caused maximum disturbance in the Assembly while they were in the Opposition. Now that they are in the treasury benches, there is order in the house. As for the BSP, it is rather demoralised after its defeat and also apprehensive of the scams it has left behind. There seems to be some kind of deal between the SP and BSP which finds a reflection in the Assembly.”
Congress legislature party leader Pradeep Mathur echoed similar sentiments when he claimed that the Congress was never one to cause disruptions and the issue rested between SP and BSP.
Parliamentary affairs minister Azam Khan, however, said that the legislators were feeling a sense of relief after the end of the “rule of tyranny” and were, therefore, in no mood to disturb the House.
A senior legislator from the Congress felt that it was the amiable nature and friendly behaviour of the chief minister that was largely responsible.
“Adjournments and disruptions are usually a strong reaction from the Opposition when the government is unrelenting on major issues. This time, the chief minister is not only open to ideas but also accepts suggestions form the Opposition. He maintains a warm, personal relation with everyone and this has generated a cordial atmosphere,” the Congress MLA said.