New protocol to receive governor at assembly: Parties refuse to follow ‘feudal tradition of British era’, govt defers Pranab order

At the meeting, opposition parties like BSP, Congress and RLD opposed the new protocol, terming it a “feudal tradition practiced during the British regime”. The BJP, however, supported the new guidelines and said it would take up the issue with the President if new protocol was not followed.

Last year, Ram Naik had raised the issue of the need for uniform guidelines for holding joint sessions of both houses of state legislatures, swearing in of the Governor and ministers and the conduct of the House during his address. Following this, the President had set up a committee and based on its recommendations, new directives were recently issued to all states.

According to the new rules, from now on, the Governor, who will arrive in a procession amid blowing of trumpets, will be received by the chief minister and others at the entrance of the Assembly while on his way to address the joint session of Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad. After welcoming the Governor, the Chief Minister and others will follow him in a procession to the Assembly. The National Anthem will be played twice before the proceedings begin and after the Governor leaves.

“It is strange that suddenly it has dawn upon us to revive a tradition of the British era. Governors may come on… planes, helicopters, horse-driven carriages… with all drama. This does not look nice when the whole of UP is burning… It is not a part of House proceedings. Inside the House, we will continue our protest against the Governor’s address,” said Leader of Opposition and BSP’s Swami Prasad Maurya.

Congress Legislative Party leader Pradeep Mathur added: “Arriving amid band baja points towards a feudal system. We want the old system to continue.”
“No new tradition should be adopted. We should take legal opinion on whether these guidelines are suggestions or directions. If these directions come from the President, then we should follow the same… or else, there is no need,” said RLD MLA group leader Dalbeer Singh.

However, Suresh Khanna, the BJP legislative group leader, said: “They opposed the new protocol but I defended the same. The new guidelines have been issued by the President after consulting a committee. These are not suggestive but binding on us. It has been issued keeping in mind all consequences.”
At the meeting, it was decided to seek opinion from legal and constitutional experts on the issue.

On Wednesday, Ram Naik — in a letter to the leaders of all parties — had urged them to listen to his address without any disturbance. He had also requested them to maintain the decorum and dignity of the House and help in the conduct of its proceedings. Moreover, the Governor had sent a copy of the new protocol to all the leaders.

“The Governor is our patron. He comes only once to address the joint sitting of the House. If we don’t raise our issues before him, when will we do it?… We will protest against the law and order situation and farmers’ plight during the Governor’s address,” Maurya said.