J&K Legislative Assembly adjourned as NC, PDP MLAs clash

Jammu, Feb 9: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly was adjourned till 2:30 pm on Monday after the House witnessed uproarious scenes over PDP MLA Waheed ur Rehman Para’s remarks on the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI).

Minutes before the adjournment, BJP MLAs staged an en masse walkout, accusing the Chair of being biased and not allotting them time to speak.

The issue erupted when Para, while participating in the general discussion on the J&K budget presented by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on February 6, described SASCI as “the most dangerous scheme.”

“It would put J&K in a debt trap like Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh, as the loan under it is being procured from the market. This is an Ambani-Adani loan,” Para said.

“You are putting the entire J&K on sale. You are mortgaging J&K and the future of our children. I request the Chief Minister to study it. This is the most dangerous thing you are doing to J&K,” he alleged.

Agitated over his remarks, NC members rose to counter him, leading to chaos in the House as NC members and ministers engaged in heated exchanges with the PDP MLA.

“We don’t want roads, bridges or other infrastructure. Through SASCI, which the Chief Minister has brought without consultations, J&K will be ruined. I request all the Members to discuss SASCI,” Para continued.

As NC members kept countering him, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary rose to address the Chair, saying, “Sir, when Waheed Sahib speaks here, he keeps the mike in his pocket and addresses a rally in his constituency.”

While NC and PDP members were locked in a verbal duel, BJP members also rose, protesting against the Chair.

“Since we are not being given time, we are walking out,” BJP members said, staging a walkout at 1:14 pm amid slogans targeting both the NC and PDP. Mubarik Gul, who was in the Chair, assured them that they would be given time to speak.

NC members countered the slogans, taking digs at both the BJP and the PDP.

Amid the chaos, independent MLA Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh also joined the melee, pleading his own cause. He attempted to enter the well of the House and made certain remarks that were objected to by NC members, triggering another round of confrontation.

This led to a brief scuffle between NC members and Khursheed, which was prevented by the Watch and Ward staff.

As the disorder persisted despite repeated attempts to restore order, Gul adjourned the House at 1:14 pm till 2:30 pm.