The maiden session of the 16th Rajasthan Legislative Assembly commenced on Wednesday morning. This inaugural session witnessed Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, both Deputy Chief Ministers Diya Kumari and Dr. Premchand Bairwa, along with the newly elected legislators, taking the oath administered by the Protem Speaker. During the initial session, oaths were administered to 191 legislators, with eight more slated for tomorrow. However, the assembly’s commencement was not without uproar and opposition.
Rising Opposition and Protest at the Commencement
As the session began, Congress legislators initiated protests against the suspension of opposition MPs in the Parliament. Their dissent was met with assertive gestures, signaling a tense beginning to the assembly’s first special session. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, former Deputy CM Sachin Pilot, and Pradesh Adhyaksh Govind Singh Dotasra, alongside other Congress legislators, arrived at the house sporting black bands on their hands, symbolizing their dissent.
Asserting the Oath and Opposition Stance
Former CM Ashok Gehlot, donning the black band, while taking the oath, expressed, “Swearing in duty! Today, as a legislator from the Sardarpura Assembly constituency, I pledge. I shall forever be dedicated to the service of Sardarpura and Rajasthan.”
Congress Pradesh Adhyaksh Govind Singh Dotasra, upon taking the oath, directly opposed the suspension of opposition MPs in Parliament. He asserted, “My party and I stand against the assassination of democracy in this country.” This stance led to a demonstration of dissent by the Congress legislators present in the assembly, albeit the situation later calmed down.
Controversy Surrounding the Inaugural Session
It’s noteworthy that the inaugural session called for a special two-day session to administer the oath to the 199 newly elected legislators of the 16th Rajasthan Legislative Assembly. However, when Congress legislator Shanti Dhariwal unexpectedly raised objections to the sudden summoning of the session, citing Rule 302 and Section 167 of the Constitution, asserting that the commencement of the first session post-general elections should ideally commence with the Governor’s address as per Section 167, given a notice period of 24 hours, not as immediately convened.
The inaugural session of the 16th Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, though marked with oaths and formalities, began amidst protests, opposition, and a hint of controversy, setting the tone for what lies ahead in the state’s political landscape.