Srinagar, September 29: BJP legislators on Tuesday walked out of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly in protest against the Speaker’s decision to allow discussion on the resolution seeking restoration of statehood.
The BJP alleged that Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather permitted the resolution to be taken up despite the party’s objections to references to the 2000 autonomy resolution and the 2024 resolution related to special status.
The walkout came after Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma once again raised the issue in the House and demanded the removal of Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather.
The statehood resolution, moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, was passed on Monday amid protests by BJP legislators.
As proceedings began on the sixth day of the Assembly session on Tuesday, Sunil Sharma demanded that the Speaker step down. He alleged that the resolution was allowed to be introduced despite objections raised by the Law Department and the Chief Secretary.
Addressing the House, Sharma termed the resolution “unconstitutional” and questioned why it was allowed to be discussed despite concerns raised by the concerned authorities.
Sharma said the BJP supports the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir but has objections to certain points and references included in the resolution.
He further argued that the Speaker should not continue presiding over the House after BJP legislators moved a motion seeking his removal.
Responding to Sharma, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather said his credibility had been questioned and that the Assembly rules provide a procedure for dealing with such matters.
“You have questioned my credibility. There is a procedure for this, but do not teach me the law,” Rather said.
The BJP has moved a motion against the Speaker, which has been supported by 29 legislators. Rather said the matter would be dealt with according to the procedure laid down under the Assembly rules.
