SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday praised BJP MLA Yudhvir Sethi for remaining in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and raising a question after his party colleagues staged a walkout over the demand to restore a holiday on the birth anniversary of former J&K Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah.
The exchange took place during the second day of the Assembly’s autumn session after National Conference legislators raised the demand to declare Sheikh Abdullah’s birth anniversary a holiday. BJP members opposed the demand, staged a walkout and raised slogans in favour of Maharaja Hari Singh while leaving the House.
Sethi, however, remained seated and continued participating in the proceedings. Before responding to his question, Omar Abdullah referred to the BJP MLA’s decision to stay back and said he had chosen to raise issues concerning his constituents despite his party’s protest.
“I salute the MLA for standing apart from his party and raising people’s issues. He wants to use the House in the interest of people. This shows the difference between a real and a fake MLA,” Omar said.
The Chief Minister subsequently responded to the question raised by Sethi as BJP members remained outside the House following their walkout.
