The three-day monsoon session of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly began in Gandhinagar on Monday with Opposition protests, walkouts, and heated exchanges dominating proceedings.
The session opened with tributes to former chief minister Vijay Rupani, who died in the June 12 Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad. Members across party lines observed silence and recalled his contributions to the state.
Congress Walkout Over Bachu Khabad Soon after, Congress MLAs staged a walkout demanding the resignation and arrest of Minister of State for Panchayat and Agriculture Bachu Khabad, accused of large-scale corruption in the MGNREGA scheme. Khabad, the Devgadhbariya MLA from Dahod, was absent, with Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel handling his duties.
The demand follows the May arrest of Khabad&rsquo;s son Balvant in a Rs 71-crore rural employment scam. Congress had planned a major protest outside the Assembly, but heavy rain forced a scaled-down demonstration where a small group shouted slogans and held placards before returning inside.
AAP Joins Protests, Vasava Out on Bail After Congress exited, three AAP legislators staged a protest over poor road conditions. Among them was Dediapada MLA Chaitar Vasava, who secured three-day interim bail from the Narmada sessions court to attend the session. Released from Vadodara Central Jail at 9 am, he reached Gandhinagar in time for proceedings.
During Question Hour, Congress MLA Jignesh Mevani grilled the government over scams under the Gujarat Protection of Interest of Deposits Act, 2003. The Home Department revealed 81 complaints in the last two years involving Rs 402.21 crore, but only Rs 7.53 crore has been recovered via seizures and auctions of two companies&rsquo; assets.
&ldquo;This exposes the government&rsquo;s inability to protect citizens from Ponzi schemes and fraudulent firms,&rdquo; Mevani said. Later, speaking to Benefit News, he added: &ldquo;The government is ignoring voices on infrastructure, ex-servicemen, Dalit atrocities and youth struggles. Crucial issues are sidelined while people suffer.&rdquo;
Italia Alleges Bias AAP MLA Gopal Italia also accused the government of blocking Opposition voices. He told Benefit News: &ldquo;Even when two legislators ask similar questions, both are usually allowed, but mine was not admitted. This is a dangerous misuse of authority. BJP MLAs get their questions cleared from the party office, while ours are blocked.&rdquo;
He further alleged that incorrect answers were given to his questions on mining leases. &ldquo;From day one, I have come to the Assembly with people&rsquo;s issues. Yet the government is avoiding accountability,&rdquo; Italia said.
Key Bills on Agenda In the next two days, the Assembly will take up five amendment bills. The most debated will be the Factories (Gujarat Amendment) Bill, converting July&rsquo;s ordinance into law. It permits 12-hour work shifts with workers&rsquo; consent and allows women to work night shifts under strict safety provisions, including secure transport, CCTV, female security staff and proper lighting.
Other bills slated include the Gujarat GST (Second Amendment) Bill, the Jan Vishwas Bill, amendments to the Gujarat Medical Practitioners Act, 1963, and changes to the Gujarat Medical Institutions (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2021.

Protests, Walkouts Mark First Day of Guj Assembly

Opposition targeted BJP over scams, corruption and roads as session began

Protests, Walkouts Mark First Day of Guj Assembly

Opposition targeted BJP over scams, corruption and roads as session began

September 8, 2025 | 20:31 IST