SRINAGAR, Sept 28: Four MLAs were marshalled out of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday amid an uproar over Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s resolution seeking restoration of statehood, as protesting members raised slogans and disrupted proceedings.
The disruption began as BJP members staged mock proceedings in the well of the House despite warnings from Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather that strict action would be taken against those disrupting the proceedings.
Amid the din, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma raised slogans against the Chief Minister, prompting National Conference members to respond. The House subsequently witnessed a slogan-shouting match between opposition and treasury benches.
Congress members also raised slogans against the BJP-led Government at the Centre, while Congress MLA Irfan Hafeez Lone displayed a banner demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chaudhary urged the Speaker to direct the Leader of Opposition to apologise for what he termed “unparliamentary language” against the Chief Minister.
“This is not a street,” Chaudhary said.
As the protests continued, BJP members allegedly attacked Congress MLAs with a microphone stand, following which Assembly marshals intervened.
BJP MLAs Vikram Randhawa and Arvind Gupta, along with Congress MLAs Irfan Hafeez Lone and Iftikhar Ahmad, were subsequently marshalled out of the House.
National Conference members protested against the BJP’s conduct, while Speaker Rather warned the protesting members to maintain discipline and said strict action would be taken against those disrupting proceedings.
“I will name the members who are disrupting the proceedings and take strict action. So maintain discipline,” the Speaker said.
The BJP members, however, continued their protest and attempted to move towards the Speaker’s podium amid the continuing uproar.