House adjourned for the day as BJP MLAs protest resolution, enter into scuffle with AIP legislator; accusing the BJP of ‘wasting time of the Assembly’, NC says it is only trying to fulfil its poll promise
A day after the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly passed a resolution on the restoration of special status, it witnessed noisy scenes, scuffles, and adjournment, as BJP MLAs vociferously opposed the resolution moved by the ruling camp.
The proceedings on Thursday started with BJP legislators demanding the withdrawal of the resolution. Bedlam broke out when Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) legislator Sheikh Khursheed Rashid waved a banner that read: “Restore Articles 370 & 35A. Release all political prisoners”. This, triggered a protest, with the BJP legislators and Mr. Rashid entering into a scuffle. J&K Peoples Conference ( JKPC) legislator Sajad Lone and Peoples Democratic Party legislator Waheed-ur Rehman Parra joined the scuffle in a bid to rescue Mr. Rashid.
Scores of marshals had to intervene to maintain order in the House.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather directed marshals to remove the protesting BJP legislators. “I cannot annul the resolution passed by the House. The BJP can bring a no-confidence if it wants me out,”
Mr. Rather said.
“It is a black day. Resolution was a drama and the director was Speaker Rather. It was a new spectacle from the National Conference [NC], a repeat of its past,” BJP MLA Ranbir Singh Pathania said.
He said the BJP will continue to struggle till the “unconstitutional and illegal resolution” is withdrawn.
Two BJP MLAs suffered minor injuries in the scuffle while six were marshalled out from the House, which was adjourned till Friday morning.
The NC accused the BJP of “wasting the time of the Assembly”. “The NC is fulfilling its promises made to the people in the manifesto,” NC member Hilal Akbar Lone said. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said the resolution sought to “strengthen the country and safeguard land and jobs for locals”.