- BJP MLAs protest, 3 marshalled out after storming into well
Srinagar: The Legislative Assembly of Jammu & Kashmir on Thursday witnessed uproarious scenes over alleged corruption in the Roads & Buildings Department and the Speaker’s refusal to allow an adjournment motion, with BJP legislators disrupting proceedings throughout the Question Hour. Three of them stormed into the well of the House, leading to their removal.
As soon as proceedings began, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), BJP legislators were on their feet demanding a discussion on the recent floods, which have wreaked havoc in various parts of the Union Territory.
The BJP had submitted an adjournment motion seeking suspension of the House’s routine business to discuss the flood situation. However, the Speaker rejected the motion, stating that, as per the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Jammu & Kashmir, an adjournment motion cannot be brought on the same issue once it has already 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 is being allowed,” Sharma said.
He demanded that the Question Hour be suspended to allow a discussion on the plight of flood-affected people.
Meanwhile, Sharma and other BJP legislators waved copies of newspaper reports alleging irregularities in allotment of tenders by Roads & Buildings department. Nowshera is the native constituency of Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary.
Shouting slogans such as “Corrupt Sarkar Hai Hai” (Down with the corrupt government), “NC Sarkar Hai Hai” (Down with the NC government), and “Tender Chor Hai Hai” (Down with tender thieves), the MLAs staged protests.
NC legislators also stood up and retaliated with slogans such as “Chor Machaye Shor” (The thief makes noise).
Despite repeated directions from the Speaker to return to their seats, the protesting legislators continued their demonstration.
Amid the commotion, three BJP legislators-RS Pathani, Sunil Bhardwaj, and Surinder Kumar-stormed into the well of the House, leading to their removal by the marshals.
The disruption continued throughout the Question Hour, with BJP and NC legislators trading slogans and accusations.
Later, all BJP legislators staged a walkout but returned to the House shortly afterwards—(KNO)
