J&K Assembly witnesses ruckus over statehood resolution; BJP MLAs walk out

The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed noisy scenes on Tuesday over the resolution adopted a day earlier seeking the urgent restoration of full statehood to the Union Territory.

Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma said the BJP had moved a motion on Monday seeking the removal of Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather for allowing the resolution, and said the Speaker should step down on his own.

The BJP alleged that the Speaker had permitted the statehood resolution despite it being in violation of Assembly rules.

When the House proceedings began on Tuesday, Sharma claimed that Rather had allowed the resolution despite the Law Department advising that it was "unconstitutional".

"I leave it to the conscience of the Speaker to step down from the chair," the Leader of Opposition said.

Members of the treasury benches responded by standing up and raising slogans, including "vote chor", against the opposition. The Speaker asked the members to return to their seats.

Rather said he was aware of his powers and responsibilities as Speaker and referred to the procedure he had explained to the House the previous day. "Do not teach me how to function," he said.

The remarks angered BJP MLAs, who began raising slogans inside the House.

On Monday, Rather had said that the motion seeking his removal would be listed for business after 14 days. 

Pointing to BJP MLA R S Pathania, Rather said, "You are a good lawyer; you can bring the motion. I have not seen it yet. If you read Rule No 215, the procedure to be followed is laid down in it. A motion should be entered in the list of business any day after 14 days of submission of the motion". 

As the BJP members continued their sloganeering, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chaudhary said the Assembly was meant for discussion rather than slogans.

Chaudhary said the BJP should have raised its objections during Monday's discussion on the resolution and stated whether it opposed statehood and special status for Jammu and Kashmir. He also accused the BJP of "sabotaging" issues concerning daily wagers and urged its members to put forward their views peacefully. 

When the Speaker proceeded with Question Hour, the BJP MLAs walked out of the Assembly.   (with inputs from PTI)