BJP members protest as PDP MLA moves resolution on Art 370 restoration

Ayaan Wani

Srinagar, Nov 4: The first day of the Assembly session in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday witnessed ruckus after People's Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Waheed Parra moved a resolution opposing the abrogation of Article 370 by the Centre on August 5, 2019.
On the first day of the first session of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, the seven- time legislator and National Conference leader Abdul Rahim Rather was unanimously elected as the Speaker.
While speaking on Rather's election as Speaker, PDP MLA Waheed Para moved a resolution against revocation of Special Status and Article 370 by the Parliament in 2019.
“Keeping the sentiments of the people of J&K in mind, this House opposes the revocation of the special status (of Jammu and Kashmir),” Para said as he read the resolution.
The move triggered a protest from all BJP MLAs and they strongly objected saying it was a violation of the rules.
BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma demanded Para’s suspension for bringing the resolution in violation of assembly rules.
The Speaker asked the BJP leaders to leave it to him as he was yet to see the document forwarded by the legislator.
The protesting BJP members, however, exchanged words and created ruckus in the house.
With the BJP members refusing to budge, NC MLAs lashed out at them for interrupting the proceedings of the House. Amid the din, NC MLA Shabir Kullay rushed into the well.
As the ruckus was going on, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah intervened and said the resolution was aimed at only to get into limelight.
“We knew that a member was preparing to bring a resolution but we thought he would do so after the speaker’s election, the LG’s address and obituary references. We are dealing with it right away.”
He said while he did not want to make a political speech, he had spoken at the outset with the hope that he was speaking on behalf of the entire House.
“This assembly reflects the sentiments of the people of J&K. The truth is that the people have not validated the decisions of August 5, 2019. Had that been the case, the results (of the assembly elections) would have been different.
“In the coming days, we will bring a proposal in consultation with you (speaker),” he said, requesting the Chair to adjourn the House till the LG’s address.
The Chief Minister's response sparked discontent among three legislators from the PDP and MLA Langate, Sheikh Khurshid, brother of the jailed Member of Parliament Abdul Rashid Sheikh.
In protest, they rose from their seats, and the Speaker briefly adjourned the house before it resumed for Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s formal address.