A Day of Discord: Pensioners’ Plight Eclipses Assembly Proceedings
The winter session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly descended into chaos for a third consecutive day, as the political battle between the ruling party and the opposition spilled over from the assembly floor to the streets, all centered on the unresolved grievances of state employees and pensioners.
Protests Set the Stage
Even before the session began, the atmosphere was charged. Led by former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur, BJP legislators gathered on the assembly premises, their slogans echoing accusations that the government was turning its back on its employees. They held placards demanding what retired workers have been waiting for: their rightful gratuities, medical allowances, and pensions.
Not to be outdone, the ruling Congress party fired back with chants of their own, deflecting blame towards the BJP-led central government for withholding financial support. The scene was less a political debate and more a shouting match, setting a confrontational tone for the day.
Chaos Erupts Inside the House
The tension quickly migrated inside the assembly hall. As soon as the Question Hour—a crucial time for lawmakers to hold the government accountable—began, the opposition attempted to derail it. Despite the Speaker’s plea to not disrupt proceedings for a third day, BJP MLAs surged into the well of the house, surrounding the podium and shouting slogans.
The scene became so unruly that within minutes, the Speaker was forced to adjourn the session for ten minutes in a bid to cool tempers. When the house reconvened, the opposition boycotted the proceedings entirely, leaving Congress members to ask questions and their own ministers to answer them.
Pensioners Make Their Voices Heard
While the elected representatives argued inside, the very people at the heart of the conflict took to the streets of Dharamshala. Hundreds of pensioners, feeling forgotten in the political crossfire, gathered at the Police Ground. Their rally was a powerful reminder of the real-world consequences of the political impasse, as they voiced their frustration over delayed payments under the watchful eye of a heavy police presence.
Politics Carries On
Amidst the turmoil, Leader of the Opposition Jairam Thakur shifted focus to the future, inspecting preparations for an upcoming BJP rally. This move underscored that while the immediate concern was the pensioners’ plight, the larger political war for public support was very much ongoing.
