Congress MLAs on Tuesday submitted a breach of privilege notice against BJP Dharamshala MLA Sudhir Sharma to Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, accusing Sharma of trying to “tarnish the image” of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and “spreading misleading propaganda”.
The developments came days after Sharma moved a similar motion against the chief minister on August 25, accusing him of “providing misleading replies and speaking falsely” in the House.
The Speaker, however, rejected Sharma’s motion the next day, stating that “the motion was not filed as per rules and shared on social media even before it was officially accepted”.
Congress MLAs Mohan Lal Brakta, Capt Ranjit Singh Rana (Retd), Sanjay Rattan, Hardeep Singh Bawa and Suresh Kumar argued that Sharma’s move “violated legislative traditions and constitutional norms”.
“Until the Speaker decides whether the letter should be referred to the Privileges Committee or not, making it public is inappropriate,” they said.
Terming the act a “clear breach of privilege”, the Congress legislators alleged that Sharma’s “conduct was against the dignity of the House and legislative procedures. The move was aimed at maligning the chief minister’s image and misleading the public.”
Urging the Speaker to “take the matter seriously and initiate action” against Sharma under the rules governing privilege breaches, the Congress legislators said, “Action is necessary to protect the sanctity of the House and uphold constitutional traditions.”
