The National Conference (NC) and the Congress tried to put the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance in a spot in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Tuesday by raking up the contentious issue of Article 35A. After witnessing unruly and noisy scenes, four NC legislators were suspended for the entire autumn session.
“By suspending only NC members in both the Houses, the government has betrayed its true intentions -- to divide the ranks of a united Opposition. The dictatorial practices of the PDP-BJP combine continue,” said NC working president and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Four NC legislators -- Altaf Wani, Abdul Majeed Bhat, Ali Mohammad Dar and Showkat Ganai -- were suspended for the autumn session by the Speaker and the Chairman for “unruly behaviour.”
“We will boycott the rest of the session (of eight days)…Mufti Sayeed confessed his unease to his colleagues at seeing the Opposition close ranks over the last two days, especially today over 35A,” Mr. Abdullah said.
State Education Minister Nayeem Akhter, however, asked “the NC to reconsider its decision of boycotting the rest of the ongoing Assembly session”.
The NC and Congress members disrupted proceedings in both the Houses since morning by demanding a discussion on Article 35A, on which the PDA and the BJP hold divergent views.
While the BJP is for striking down the Article guaranteeing State subjects rights to citizens of Jammu and Kashmir, the PDP oppose the same.
“We have not come to the House with bombs. We just want to talk within the ambit of the Indian Constitution. Allow our Opposition leader to start discussion on Article 35A,” said NC legislator and general secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar.
Interestingly, CPI (M) legislator Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami and independent MLA Hakim Muhammad Yasin also requested the Speaker to suspend business and allow a discussion on Article 35A.
Speaker Kavinder Gupta, however, disallowed the discussion, which saw Congress and NC members storming into the Well of the House.
Amid uproarious scenes, Law Minister Syed Basharat Bukhari, also a senior PDP leader, assured the members of safeguarding Article 35A. “We are here to safeguard and protect Article 370 and Article 35A.The Opposition is not serious on issues of public interest. They only want to disrupt the House. It is not necessary to adjourn Question Hour. Article 35A is sub judice and there are rules which must be followed,” he said.
On Monday, the House was adjourned after the Opposition parties created a ruckus over the beef ban issue.
