Shillong, Aug 29: The VPP on Thursday walked out of the Assembly in protest against Education Minister Rakkam Sangma replying to the half-an-hour discussion initiated by MLA Ardent Basaiawmoit on the manner of appointment of teachers in Dadenggre Sub Division.
Ardent wanted action against the education minister for allegedly indulging in hate speech thereby creating communal division.
The minister made the alleged communal remarks during the election campaign to Tura Lok Sabha seat.
After the Deputy Speaker Timothy D Shira announced his ruling to allow the education minister to reply to the short duration discussion , Basaiawmoit along with the three other VPP legislators immediately stood up and walked out while saying “shame, shame”.
Before staging the walkout, Basaiawmoit said, “I will not listen to the education minister. His hate speech is in violation against 196 of the BNSS. If CM or one of the deputy CMs are not addressing the issue I will not listen.”
He also threatened, “If the government allows the minister to reply, we will walkout. We don’t want any clash between the Khasis and Garos. His speech is promoting enmity between the two communities.”
Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Prestone Tynsong said that the rule says a member while speaking shall not make a personal charge against a member.
“So I thought we allow the minister to reply since the Nongkrem MLA stood up and also reacted to this, I would lke to put things straight that the charges against the minister is too personal. Therefore we expunge that line.”
Tynsong suggested that the VPP MLA should allow the law to takes its own course since they have already filed an FIR against the minister.
The VPP is bringing the issue in the House without any provision.Why should we bring this issue inside the House. Let us be governed by the rule. This is a personal charge against the member, who also happens to be a minister in the government,” he asserted.
Later, the Speaker expunged the remarks of Ardent against Rakkam.
