Congress MLAs staged a walkout from the Punjab Assembly on Monday, protesting against what they claimed was an unfair denial of speaking rights to party legislator Sukhpal Singh Khaira.
The incident unfolded during the Zero Hour when Khaira, the MLA from Bholath, attempted to bring up issues in the House.
Seeking the attention of Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Khaira urged him to allow him to raise pressing matters. His plea was backed by Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, who also stood up in support, requesting the Speaker to give Khaira an opportunity to speak.
However, Speaker Sandhwan maintained that it was his prerogative to decide who would be given a chance to address the House. When Khaira continued to press for his turn, the Speaker reiterated his stance, prompting the MLA to momentarily take his seat.
A few minutes later, Khaira once again rose from his seat, this time insisting on raising farmer-related issues. However, instead of allowing him to speak, the Speaker granted the floor to MLA Sandeep Jakhar.
Expressing his displeasure over being denied the opportunity to speak, Khaira voiced his protest. In response, Speaker Sandhwan remarked that Khaira was disrupting the proceedings by preventing another legislator from addressing the House on public concerns.
Following this exchange, Congress MLAs moved to the well of the House in protest before eventually staging a walkout. However, Congress MLAs Rana Gurjeet Singh and Hardev Singh Laadi initially remained seated before later joining their colleagues in the walkout.
Also Read: Congress MLAs walk out during Punjab governor's address
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