Money laundering case: Opposition walks out of Himachal Assembly, BJP demands immediate discussion

The House did not function during the question hour as the Speaker also refused to budge on his stand that the matter could not be discussed since it was pending in the courts.

Commotion began at the start of question-hour when BJP MLA Dr Rajeev Bindal, backed by Mohinder Singh and Suresh Bhardwaj asked the Speaker about notice given under rule 67 to discuss an extra-ordinary situation rising out of the ED action against CM.

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“Allowing discussion on the subject may influence the investigation. Moreover nothing can be achieved as the ED is doing its job. Thus, I have rejected the motion”, the speaker ruled .

Chief Minister intervened briefly and denied that his property was attached in the case .Transport minister G S Bali, defended the CM and also backed Speaker’s decision.

“The House is conducted as per rules.The matter is under investigations by the ED and also pending in some courts. It can’t be discussed here” Bali said.

Leader of opposition Dhumal finally questioned the Speaker if the debate was being allowed or the opposition would stage a walk-out. “There is no justification of opposition sitting in the House if the debate was permitted,” he said.

Last week,the ED had attached Virbhadra Singh’s property giving a fresh opportunity to the opposition to corner Chief Minister in the House. However Virbhadra had earlier termed it as part of vendetta politics practiced to destabilise his government .