<p>Nearly one in every four MLAs in the Gujarat assembly—including nine ministers in the <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/bhupendra-patel" styleobj="[object Object]" class="" commonstate="[object Object]" frmappuse="1">Bhupendra Patel</a> govt—did not speak even once in any debate or discussion during this year’s <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/budget-session" styleobj="[object Object]" class="" commonstate="[object Object]" frmappuse="1">budget session</a>, highlighting a gap between electoral representation and legislative participation.</p>

<p>An analysis of the Gujarat assembly secretariat’s report on the Feb-March budget session shows that 45 of the 182 MLAs (24.7%) remained absent from all debates and deliberations outside the Question Hour. Their silence extended across key legislative business, including discussions on the state budget, govt bills, private members’ business, resolutions, adjournment motions and reports.</p>

<p>The list of non-participating legislators includes ministers of state Trikam Chhanga, Kantilal Amrutiya, P C Baranda, Darshana Vaghela, Rivaba Jadeja, Kaushik Vekariya, Parshottam Solanki, Kamlesh Patel and Ramesh Katara. While ministers are often occupied with administrative responsibilities and may respond selectively based on portfolio relevance, the absence of interventions from nearly a quarter of the house raises broader questions about legislative engagement.</p>

<p>The report recorded 493 participations across different categories of business during the session. Budget discussions accounted for the largest share with 223 interventions, underscoring that the state’s annual financial statement remained the principal forum for debate.</p>

<p>This was followed by 144 participations on other matters, 65 during discussions on govt bills, 28 on the motion of thanks to the governor’s address, 18 on private members’ resolutions, eight on private members’ bills and seven on govt resolutions.</p>

<p>The data also revealed that legislative participation was concentrated among a relatively small group of members.</p>

<p>Assembly speaker Shankar Chaudhary recorded the highest number of participations at 47, reflecting his responsibility in conducting proceedings, while deputy speaker Purnesh Modi participated 10 times. Chief minister Bhupendra Patel intervened five times during the session and deputy chief minister Harsh Sanghavi seven times.</p>

<p>Among the treasury bench, ministers Rushikesh Patel and <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/arjun-modhwadia" styleobj="[object Object]" class="" commonstate="[object Object]" frmappuse="1">Arjun Modhwadia</a> emerged as the most vocal members with 15 participations each. On the opposition side, Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar also recorded 15 interventions, while AAP legislators Gopal Italia and Umesh Makwana followed closely with 14 participations each.</p>

<p>Independent MLA Dhavalsinh Zala spoke 13 times, Chaitar Vasava 12, Ramanlal Vora 11, minister Jitu Vaghani 10, and Gujarat Congress president Amit Chavda eight times.</p>

<p>Political observers say participation in debates was one of the most visible indicators of an MLA’s legislative performance, complementing constituency work and committee responsibilities.</p>

<p>Pankti Jog, Gujarat coordinator of the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), said the findings should prompt greater public scrutiny of legislative performance. “Legislators are meant to deliberate on laws and policies concerning the public. When a large number of elected representatives remain silent, the quality of democratic oversight and accountability is affected," she said.</p>