The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly was adjourned till 2:30 pm on Monday after loud protests and heated arguments disrupted the House. The trouble began over remarks made by PDP MLA Waheed ur Rehman Para on the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI).
Just minutes before the adjournment, BJP MLAs staged a collective walkout, accusing the Chair of bias and claiming they were not given enough time to speak during the discussion. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The issue started when Para took part in the general discussion on the J&K budget, which was presented by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on February 6. During his speech, Para described SASCI as “the most dangerous scheme” for Jammu and Kashmir.
He claimed that the scheme would push J&K into a debt trap, similar to countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Para said the loan under SASCI is being raised from the market and referred to it as an “Ambani-Adani loan”.
“You are putting the entire J&K on sale. You are mortgaging J&K and the future of our children,” Para said. He urged the Chief Minister to carefully study the scheme, calling it extremely harmful for the region.
His remarks angered National Conference (NC) members, who immediately stood up to counter him. This led to chaos in the House, with NC MLAs and ministers engaging in heated verbal exchanges with the PDP legislator.
Continuing his criticism, Para said that development projects like roads and bridges were not worth the risk. He alleged that SASCI was introduced without proper consultation and warned that it would ruin Jammu and Kashmir. He also requested all members to hold a detailed discussion on the scheme.
As the arguments continued, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary intervened and addressed the Chair. He remarked that when Para speaks in the Assembly, he behaves as if he is addressing a public rally in his constituency.
During the ongoing exchange between NC and PDP members, BJP legislators also stood up in protest, accusing the Chair of ignoring them. They announced a walkout, saying they were not being given a chance to speak. The BJP members walked out of the House at 1:14 pm, raising slogans against both the NC and PDP.
Mubarik Gul, who was presiding over the House, assured the BJP MLAs that they would be given time to speak. NC members responded to the slogans by making sharp remarks against both opposition parties.
Amid the disorder, independent MLA Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh also entered the fray, raising his own issues. He attempted to enter the well of the House and made remarks that were objected to by NC members, leading to another confrontation.
A brief scuffle broke out between NC members and Khursheed Ahmad Sheikh, but it was quickly stopped by the Watch and Ward staff.As repeated efforts to restore order failed, Mubarik Gul adjourned the House at 1:14 pm till 2:30 pm.
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