NC MLAs, Independents clash with PDP, BJP
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Feb 7: Heated exchanges, slogans, counter slogans and commotion were witnessed in the Assembly today first between NC and PDP members and then between NC and BJP MLAs when National Conference (NC) MLA from Baramulla, Javed Hassan Baig was speaking on budget for 2026-27 in the House.
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Baig, who initiated debate on annual budget targeted People’s Conference (PC) MLA from Handwara, Sajjad Gani Lone and PDP MLA, Waheed Para for questioning the agenda of National Conference instead of having self introspection and before raising fingers on NC. He asked them to look towards the agenda of their party when they framed Government with BJP in 2014.
This irritated Parra who stood up from his seat and strongly countered Baig asking him to stick to budget. There were heated exchanges between the two members. However some NC MLAs also stood up from their seats supported Baig and countered Parra. Speaker, A R Rather’s repeated pleas to members to take their seats and calm down failed to bring order and an enraged Parra continued to counter his rival party MLAs.
In a sarcastic reference to then Mufti Government’s promise of emptying Tatoo Ground in Srinagar, Baig said that during three years of his rule the Tatoo Ground could not be emptied. This further irritated Parra who asked NC MLA to be confined to budget. He also questioned the PDP’s alliance with BJP in 2014 saying though we have no enmity with any political party or institutions only the ideological differences but some principles in politics are to be maintained.
Turning tables on BJP, he accused it of abrogation of Article 370 and 35 A saying it was a means of Constitutional relationship between then State and Union of India. “It protected our jobs and we had surrendered external affairs and not internal autonomy,’’ he added.
He said PDP chief, Mehbooba Mufti had warned that not a single person will take national flag in hand in case the special status of J&K was eroded but what happened later is evident. “They abrogated Article 370, 35 A and deprived us of our separate flag and Constitution’’.
Countering him LoP Sunil Sharma stood up and raised a point of order. He took on Baig and BJP MLAs also joined him after standing up from their seats.
Sunil Sharma, while strongly defending abrogation of article 370 and 35 A said “Let you show that the word special status is written in the Indian Constitution I am ready to undergo any punishment’’. He was hooted down by some NC legislators and they were also joined by Baig. Minister of Transport, Satish Sharma also joined NC members in countering BJP over this issue and there were heated exchanges among them.
Sharma, while quoting Dr B R Ambedkar, said “Those who don’t read history can’t make history, so they should not talk about history’’. He was supported by MLA Shopian Shabir Ahmad Kullay whom BJP’s Rajiv Jasrotia and Shagun Parihar countered sternly. This further led to disorder in the House.
Trying to pacify the members, Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture, Javed Ahmed Dar stood up and said that the MLAs who did not speak on LG’s address will be accommodated during debate on budget. He appealed the MLAs to speak on their turn instead of disrupting the others. He asked the LoP that he should speak on his turn and hence not disturb the House. But his plea also failed to restore the order and the allegations and counter allegations between alliance partners and opposition members continued.
The BJP MLAs countering NC legislators shouted slogans “Jis Kashmir Ko Khoon Sey Sincha Woh Kashmir Hamara Hain, Woh Sarey Ka Sara Hain’’.
(The Kashmir which was nourished by our blood is ours). This was followed by counter sloganeering from NC benches. However nothing could be heard in the din.
As commotion continued in the House, Nazir Gurezi of NC stood up and targeted BJP MLAs saying that they are doing a drama as they have been holding the House to ransom. Mubarak Gul of NC also intervened asking members to maintain cool. NC’s Baig who had not yet finished his speech asked BJP members “Don’t attribute the special status of J&K to violence and turmoil. You had eroded special status since 1953 that led to alienation’’.
NC members also took exception to BJP MLAs statement that J&K is getting Central grants and asked whether the States which do not get special Central grant survive or not? Countering them, the BJP MLAs said that these states generate their own resources.
Countering Baig, BJP’s Dileep Parihar told him that he was also earlier in PDP and at that time he was opposing NC. Baig was also confronted by BJP’s Pawan Gupta. Irritated by it, Mohammed Shafi of NC stood up asking Gupta to sit down as they (NC MLAs) are more qualified than him.
Baig also targeted BJP for closing Medical College because Muslims students got admission there. He said this way they are reviving “Two Nation Theory’’.
Though order was restored when Devyani Rana of BJP and Nizam-ud-Din Bhat of Congress spoke in the House, acrimonious scenes were again witnessed when Muzaffar Khan independent stood up to speak and attacked BJP of abrogating Article 370.
He said abrogation of specials status will be again revived. It was a Constitutional guarantee given to J&K by Constituent Assembly. “It is our right . Article 370 and 35 A neither belong to any region, religion or caste. It was a protection for all of us’’. He also gave its historical background.
Countering him, BJP’s S S Salathia stood up and said how long you will hoodwink people and spread hatred. Don’t make such statements to break the country. However he was hooted down by Irfan Hafiz Lone of Congress.
Supporting his party members demand for restoration of special status, Dy CM, Surinder Choudhary said BJP leaders were earlier also carrying two flags on their vehicles, he added. If they had guts they should have refused to carry the another Flag or removed it from their vehicles. He accused BJP leaders of having double standards. Continuing debate Murtaza Khan said he needs his Constitution and flag back.
There was again commotion in the House and BJP MLAs protested came to front rows. Sham Lal and other members demanded expunging of words of Murtaza Khan. Mubarak Gul who was presiding over proceedings of the House, said that he will see if his statement has hurt sentiments of any member he will expunge that. But NC members again continued protest objecting expunging of the statement. Gul’s appeal also failed to restore the order and heated exchanges between BJP members and alliance minsters, including Dy CM, Satish Sharma and Sakina Ittoo continued during the debate.
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