3 BJP MLAs marshalled out amid ruckus; Opposition seeks CM’s resignation, apology for “unfulfilled promises
WAJAHAT SHABIR
Srinagar: Opposition BJP legislators on Thursday staged a walkout from the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly after being denied permission to hold a discussion on the aftermath of the recent floods in the Union Territory.
The protest escalated when three BJP MLAs were marshalled out of the House for storming into the well, accusing the government of corruption in the Roads and Buildings Department and neglecting flood-affected people.
During the Question Hour, BJP legislators demanded a discussion on the recent floods, pointing out that they had submitted a fresh adjournment motion on the issue. However, the Speaker ruled that an adjournment motion cannot be brought on the same issue once it has been rejected.
Angered by the Speaker’s response, Leader of Opposition Sunil Kumar Sharma accused the government of evading discussion on the flood situation.
“Every corner of Jammu and Kashmir was affected by floods caused by heavy rainfall. People have expectations that there will be discussions on the impact of the floods, but no such discussion has taken place,” Sharma said.
He demanded that the Question Hour be suspended to allow a discussion on the plight of flood-affected people.
Few minutes later Leader of opposition Sunil Kumar Sharma waved a newspaper report alleging corruption in the Roads & Buildings Department, triggering slogans and counter-slogans from both the treasury benches and the main opposition.
Despite repeated directions from the Speaker to return to their seats, the protesting legislators continued their demonstration. Shouting anti-government slogans, BJP legislators intensified their protest. Three BJP legislators-RS Pathani, Sunil Bhardwaj, and Surinder Kumar-stormed into the well of the House but were eventually marshalled out.
The situation did not end there. As things escalated, Sharma called for the resignation of the Chief Minister demanding that the CM resign on moral grounds. Later, BJP MLAs walkout over demand for discussion On Floods
The BJP MLAs then staged a walkout after remaining standing for the entire Question Hour and also demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Abdullah and an apology from him for “unfulfilled promises”.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather asked the BJP members to take their seats and let the Question Hour proceed. “We will see after Question Hour. I will allow him to speak after the Question Hour,” the Speaker said. However, the BJP members did not relent and continued with their demand.
“Don’t you want the Question Hour,” the Speaker asked, and said, “I promise I will find some way.” Rather said the adjournment motion has been disallowed as Rule 58 (12) puts a bar on admitting an adjournment motion on a subject which has already been disallowed in the session.
Responding to that, BJP MLA from Jasrota, Rajiv Jasrotia, said, “You (Speaker) had promised to allow the resolution. But, you did not keep it.” The Speaker responded by saying the resolution did not come up due to the paucity of time. “You could have extended time yesterday,” Jasrotia said. “You should have raised this yesterday,” the Speaker shot back.
Amid the din, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Sharma said the August rainfall affected most areas of J&K, and the people of the Union territory have expectations with this House that the MLAs will raise their issues.
“We respected the House rules … And followed your promises. Resolutions were managed yesterday in such a way that this important resolution did not even come up. The government seems disinterested in this important issue,” Sharma said, adding that the flood-affected victims have been disrespected.
The LoP said there should have been a discussion on the issue on the very first day of the assembly session, and accused the government of running away from a discussion.
“What does the government want to hide? A scam in PWD has been unearthed in the media today. Why is the government running away? They want to hide corruption,” Sharma added.
Sharma’s comments led to protests by the treasury benches. With both the treasury and the opposition members on their feet, there was uproar in the House. Ruling National Conference (NC) MLA from Gurez, Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi, said the BJP members “are enacting a drama” and “wasting the time of the House”.
As the accusation and counter-accusation flew, deputy chief minister Surinder Choudhary, while pointing towards the BJP MLAs, said, “Chor machaye shor” (thieves were making noise).
Another NC MLA, Salman Sagar, asked the BJP to give an account for the ten years from 2014 to 2024 — when the BJP was in power with the PDP till 2018, and then J&K was under the Centre’s rule.
