Agartala: Tipra Motha Party MLAs on Monday threatened to stage a walkout from the House, expressing their sharp discontent over the Speaker’s allocation of time, especially during the question-answer session of the Tripura Assembly.
Rebel-turned Tipra Motha leader and MLA Ranjit Debbarma said that ever since Ram Pada Jamatia assumed charge as Assembly Speaker, no Tipra Motha MLA had been allocated time to raise their concerns during the Assembly session.
Referring to the ongoing session, which would conclude on Monday, Debbarma said, “In the ongoing session, none of our MLAs had been allowed to ask their questions. The people of the hills of Tripura have elected us to represent them. We are here to raise genuine concerns of the people and resolve their issues. Unfortunately, we are not being allowed to speak in the question-answer session. Not a single MLA from us could raise their questions even though they submitted their questions long before others.”
MLAs Pathan Lal Jamatia and Sanjay Manik Tripura also raised the same concerns. Speaker Ram Pada Jamatia argued that questions are arranged on a first-come, first-served basis. “The questions that come earlier are given priority,” said Jamatia.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath said that the matter should be treated seriously and an inquiry should be conducted to ensure that the apprehensions expressed by the Tipra Motha MLAs are addressed.
“The matter will be looked into. If needed, I will personally intervene and help the Speaker in handling the issue properly,” said Nath.