Abhay Chautala objects to chief minister, ministers' 'absence' from House

Chandigarh: Senior INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala on Monday raised strong objection to the "absence" of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and his senior Ministers when the Leader of Opposition was asked to participate on budget discussion by the Speaker.

When Mr Chautala was asked to take part on the discussion on budget by the Speaker in the ongoing session of the state assembly here, the INLD leader pointed towards the seats of Chief Minister and some of his senior cabinet colleagues including Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ram Bilas Sharma, Health Minister Anil Vij and some others, who were not present in the House at that time.

Mr Chautala stated that when Leader of Opposition had been asked to speak on the budget, the Chief Minister or at least his senior Cabinet colleagues should remain present, citing this has been the past practice.

He then requested the Speaker that he should be permitted to take part in the discussion later after which INLD MLA P S Dhull spoke.

Later, talking to reporters outside the assembly, Mr Chautala alleged that the BJP Government was non-serious in its approach.

"When the Chief Minister or his Cabinet colleagues are not present, to whom will you then point out the deficiencies or suggestions pertaining to the budget which has been presented in the assembly earlier during the ongoing session.