Gujarat Assembly: ‘One-sided picture reaches the public’, Congress’s Chavda reiterates demand for live telecast of proceedings

Chavda was referring to the discussion raised under rule 116 of Gujarat Legislative Assembly Rules – ‘Calling attention to matters of urgent public importance’ – by Congress MLAs regarding the incident of the purported CCTV video of treatment of female patients at a private maternity home in Rajkot going viral.

Further alleging discrimination, he stated that the 30-minute House proceedings released daily by the Information Department — “Lokshahi Na Dhabkara” (heartbeats of democracy) — is biased, adding only a “one-sided picture” of the House proceedings reaches out to the public. He further alleged that Congress party MLAs addressing people’s issues or discussions on serious issues are not shown.

To strengthen his case, Chavda cited the examples of live telecast of Assembly proceedings of 28 states besides that of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, adding that whatever proceedings take place should reach the people.

Also, drawing the attention of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel present in the House, Chavda said that it has been a long-standing demand of legislators that people should get the videos of public issues that are presented and discussed in the House, but no decision has been taken on this matter yet.

In response, without giving any assurances about the live telecast, the Speaker said he would discuss the issue of video clips with all the party representatives during the Assembly’s business advisory committee meeting next week.

On Sanghavi’s video, the Speaker said that there was a request from him for that clip. As the government felt that the issue was important and people must be made aware about it, the video was allowed. He insisted that only one clip was given. Later, Congress MLAs also staged a protest outside the Assembly over the issue.