Chaos and pandemonium erupted in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Thursday, on the fifth day of the Autumn session, after the Speaker disallowed the BJP’s adjournment motion seeking discussion on the rehabilitation of flood victims.
As the session began today, BJP legislators demanded a discussion on the recent flood damages. However, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather informed the House that he had already rejected the adjournment motion but would explore alternative ways to hold a discussion on the issue.
Unhappy with the decision, BJP legislators climbed down to the first row shouting slogans. The Speaker then allowed Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma to briefly make his point.
Sharma expressed disappointment over the denial of discussion.
“It is unfortunate that the House is not deliberating on the impact of floods caused by heavy rainfall. People have expectations that their issues will be addressed here. ..Our member had moved an adjournment motion to show seriousness, but the Speaker disallowed it—throwing the expectations of flood victims into the dustbin. If the government continues to ignore their suffering, we will stage a walkout,” he warned.
Amid the uproar, Speaker Rather clarified that he had not disallowed the discussion.
“I said they could raise the issue after the Question Hour. I didn’t disallow it,” he explained.
The NC MLA, Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi, accused the BJP members of “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.
As the ruckus continued, BJP MLA from Kishtwar, Shagun Parihar, tried to enter the well of the House, but was stopped by female watch and ward staff.
Two BJP MLAs, R S Pathania and Surinder Kumar, were marshalled out after jumping into the well.
Despite the slogan-shouting and chaos, the Question Hour continued.
During the din, J&K Minister Javed Rana accused the BJP of “devastating the state and the nation.”
As the Question Hour concluded, BJP legislators staged a walkout in protest but returned to the House a short while later.
The opposition members also demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and an apology from him for “unfulfilled promises”.
This was the first walkout by the MLAs in the autumn session.