SRINAGAR, Oct 30: Chaos erupted in the Legislative Assembly today after three Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators were marshalled out for storming into the well of the House during protests against the Speaker’s refusal to admit an adjournment motion seeking a discussion on the plight of recent flood victims and alleged corruption in the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department.As the Question Hour began today, opposition BJP members stood up demanding adjournment of the House for half an hour discussion on the recent floods, which had caused extensive damage to homes, land, and livestock across Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaker, Abdul Rahim Rather, however, rejected the adjournment motion, saying it violated Rule 58(12), which states that “a motion shall not deal with matter for the discussion of which leave was recused in the Chief Minister’s session.”The Speaker urged the protesting members to maintain decorum, saying, “I will try to give you time after the Question Hour. Please sit down.” But BJP legislators accused him of breaking his earlier assurance. “Sir, you did not keep your promise. You should have extended the time yesterday,” one member shouted. The Speaker responded, “You should have said that yesterday,” before protests intensified.
Three BJP legislators- RS Pathania, Sunil Bhardwaj, and Surinder Kumar – stormed into the well of the House shouting slogans such as “Do justice with Jammu!” and accused the Government of neglecting flood victims and suppressing debate. Despite repeated appeals, the Speaker’s attempts to restore order failed, forcing marshals to escort the three MLAs out of the House.
Leader of Opposition (LoP), Sunil Sharma, said the floods had affected every corner of Jammu and Kashmir and that people were watching the Assembly with hope. “We maintained decorum and respected your assurance that the issue would be discussed during resolutions. But the resolution never came. By rejecting our adjournment motion, you have not only dismissed our concern but also thrown the expectations of flood victims into the dustbin,” he said.
He further accused the Government of insensitivity and deliberate delay. “People are dejected with the Government’s behaviour. The issue of flood victims is the biggest issue of Jammu and Kashmir. The Government is least bothered,” he added.
The LoP then held up a clipping of Daily Excelsior newspaper reporting corruption in the Public Works Department (PWD), saying, “See, the PWD scam has been exposed today. Tenders worth crores have been allotted in violation of rules to benefit specific individuals. This Government has become the most corrupt in Jammu and Kashmir’s history.”
Sharma demanded a CBI probe and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s resignation, asking, “Who is the MLA from that constituency? Who is the Minister? Is he a close aide of Omar? This issue deserves investigation.”
The House descended into chaos as treasury and opposition benches exchanged heated words. Opposition members shouted slogans demanding the Chief Minister’s resignation. BJP MLA Sunil Sharma also staged a walkout, along with his members accusing the Speaker of shielding the Government and denying discussion on a humanitarian issue.
Outside the Assembly, BJP MLA RS Pathania, alleged that “tenders worth crores were allotted in gross violation of guidelines to benefit select individuals.” “A huge scam has been revealed today. Tenders have been manipulated to benefit one person. Omar promised jobs, rations, and electricity but instead gave corruption. He should resign,” he said.
Responding to the allegations, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chowdhary hit back at the BJP, challenging them to verify all tender records. “Go to Nowshera and check the details of all the tender allotments. I invite you to verify them, and if any officer is found guilty, I will not spare them,” he said.
Chowdhary accused the BJP of misleading people and obstructing development. “In the last 11 years, there have been numerous single-tender allotments. I can provide the record. I have directed my secretary to constitute a high-level committee to investigate this matter,” he said. “They are raising issues that are not issues. I want to tell the people of Nowshera that it is the BJP that is stopping the development of the Nowshera constituency.”
“The BJP has started this, and I will end it,” he added, vowing to “expose their irregularities in Kishtwar.”
