GUWAHATI, Dec 8 - The Speaker of the Assam Legislative Assembly, Pranab Gogoi today said that the �unruly behaviour of the BJP legislators on Monday was pre-planned,� and that he stands by his decision to suspend them.
Making no qualms about his decision to suspend the 12 MLAs, including those who defected from the Congress to the BJP, the Speaker further said, �Had I not suspended them for the entire Session, I would have to suspend them on a daily basis. I could feel that.�
He reiterated that he was not a person to be influenced by anyone on any matter as was alleged. �The action of the suspended members was an insult to the House,� Gogoi said.
Earlier, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rakibul Hussain, referring to a news report where BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma had questioned the integrity of the Speaker, said that such comments are detrimental to the sanctity of the House and also a matter of grave concern for both the ruling and Opposition parties.
�Personal attack on the Speaker of the House is unfortunate,� Hussain said. The media report quoted Himanta Biswa Sarma saying that the Speaker was acting at the behest of the Chief Minister for his personal gains.
Echoing similar sentiments, suspended AIUDF legislator Sherman Ali moved a �Breach of Privilege� notice in the House which was supported by the Congress party legislators, including Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rakibul Hussain.
Legislators of the AIUDF and AGP, too, termed the comment made against the Speaker as unfortunate. AGP legislator Phani Bhushan Choudhury said that the BJP legislators were playing into the hands of television channels and termed their action as mere publicity stunts.
Bodoland People�s Front (BPF) MLA Pramila Rani Brahma, however, opined that the suspension of the BJP MLAs for the entire Session was a bit harsh, although she said that she had nothing to comment on the prerogative of the Speaker of the House.
The Speaker later asked Rakibul Hussain to give in writing the opinion of all the political parties on the move of the �Breach of Privilege� notice.
