981 questions received as Himachal Assembly's monsoon session to start today, likely to be stormy, is fourth longest in history

TNR News Network
Shimla: The monsoon session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly will commence at 2 pm on Monday (August 18, 2025) and is expected to be a stormy affair, with the opposition BJP gearing up to corner the government over disaster relief, closure of institutions and appointments in state universities.

The session, scheduled to run till September 2 with 12 sittings, will be the fourth longest in the Assembly’s history. Security arrangements in and around the Vidhan Sabha complex were reviewed on Sunday, with rehearsals conducted under the supervision of Shimla SSP Sanjeev Gandhi.

Opposition likely to target govt over disaster relief

The BJP has prepared a strategy to move an adjournment motion on the issue of natural disaster losses, accusing the government of failing to deliver timely compensation to affected families.

Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur chaired a meeting of BJP MLAs on Sunday evening, where concerns over industrial migration, withdrawal of university-related bills and closure of institutions started by the previous government were also discussed. The party is expected to highlight the deaths of over 250 people and damage to more than 2,500 houses in recent calamities.

Government gears up for counter-attack

In response, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu convened a meeting of ministers and Congress legislators at Oak Over on Sunday to prepare a counter-strategy.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said the ruling party would give a “befitting reply” to every attack from the opposition, while also pushing forward important legislative business. Among the proposals lined up for the first day are the withdrawal of amendments related to Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University and Horticulture and Forestry University, as well as the tabling of approved ordinances on municipal and technical university reforms.

Speaker seeks constructive debate

Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania urged both treasury and opposition benches to ensure the House functions smoothly and discussions remain focused on public interest. He said that 981 questions have been received so far, including 793 starred questions requiring oral replies. An all-party meeting is scheduled before the session begins to build consensus on the conduct of proceedings. On the opening day, the House will pay homage to former legislator Ganesh Dutt Bharwal with obituary references.

With the BJP determined to make disaster relief a rallying point and the Congress equally firm on defending its record, the monsoon session is poised to witness heated exchanges and sharp political sparring.