Oppn skips all-party meeting, stormy session expected

DHARAMSHALA: The Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) skipped the all-party meeting called by assembly speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, a day before the four-day winter session of the Himachal Legislative Assembly is set to commence in Dharamshala on Tuesday.

- Dar Ovais

The Opposition having skipped the all-party meeting is directly pointing towards the possibility of a stormy start of the session. From the ruling Congress, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan and Deputy Chief Whip of the Himachal government Kewal Singh Pathania attended the meeting.

Notably, the Opposition had skipped the all-party meeting convened by the speaker before the monsoon session of the assembly held in August as well.

Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania said,"Although the Leader of Opposition had agreed to attend the meeting on the request of the legislative assembly secretariat, he still did not attend the meeting and neither did any member of his party attend the meeting."

Pathania urged all the members of the assembly to raise the issues of their constituencies within the ambit of the rules, have a meaningful discussion on it and get a reply from the government.

BJP faces criticism

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan criticised the Opposition for not attending the all-party meeting.