varied rajasthan assembly and Golma Devi

Rajasthan Assembly: Bonhomie marks day one
Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Jaipur, January 1

The state Legislative Assembly began its first session on the first day of the new year with 200 MLAs elected from all over the state providing one of the most varied colours that any Assembly in the country could boast of. Bonhomie marked day one with members hugging each other and opposition MLAs and greeting them new year wishes.
From over 100 crorepati MLAs, including seasoned politicians, liquor barons, royal prince and princesses, magicians to CPI MLA like Pema Ram living below poverty line (BPL category) to illiterate ones like Ganga Devi and the most popular Golma Devi, all hues of a democratic society painted the Assembly house today to take oath of secrecy and loyalty to the country and the Constitution.
Golma Devi was clearly the cynosure of all eyes with her each movement and utterance under the scanner. She entered the house nervous, towing steps of her MLA husband and experienced player of state assembly Dr Kirori Lal Meena, clutching his left hand tightly.
Meena took Golma Devi, wearing traditional “ghagra- loongri”, to the seat earmarked for him, forgetting that she was not just his wife but a state minister who would sit on a seat closer to Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
All between the aisles, Golma Devi got a warm reception from MLAs, who tried to make her comfortable.
She sat behind seasoned politician and popular actress Bina Kak. Both women, a clear study in contrast with one who has remained within the confines of a home and another who has roamed all over the globe.
Golma Devi eventually floored every one with the manner in which she took oath. Though she could not read from the oath text, she spoke after Speaker Devi Singh Batti but took care of using the female gender wherever it was required.
She did not miss greeting BJP MLAs, especially former Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje. She evoked claps when she opted for pen than thumb pad to sign as elected representative in the Assembly.
Then, the colourful turbans adorned by MLAs from various communities and regions, made their own statement in the House. Ganga Devi from Pendaari, all decked with traditional jewellery, added music to the scene with ‘the ghoongru’ in her anklets making a resonating sound in the hall.
The first day was used primarily to administer ‘Oath of Loyality’ to the 200 MLAs. Out of those, 197 MLAs took oath today. The remaining would take oath tomorrow.