Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Mar 20: Two MLAs today virtually came to blows on the floor of Legislative Assembly after one of them used ‘derogatory’ remarks while alleging pick and choose by the previous National Conference-Congress Coalition Government in the distribution of funds under various sectors. However, the situation was defused after Speaker expunged the remarks and warned the MLAs to behave properly in the House.
The uproarious scenes started in the House when independent MLA from Langate, Engineer Abdul Rashid, while raising supplementary, alleged that previous National Conference-Congress Government distributed the funds under various sectors in most irrational manner in order to benefit their own constituencies only.
While taking dig at National Conference, he said, “they had taken oath to watch the interests of entire State but they diverted funds to their respective constituencies as if the funds belonged to their…… This House has the right to know where the funds have gone”.
This infuriated former Speaker and MLA Mohd Akbar Lone, who objected to the ‘un-parliamentary’ remarks of Engineer Abdul Rashid. He was supported by other NC Legislators-Ali Mohammad Sagar, Devender Singh Rana and Nazir Ahmed Gurezi, who shouted “this House is not the personal property of anyone”.
Mr Lone and Engineer Rashid even resorted to personal attacks against each other. “He should be thrown out of this House like he was doing with us when he was Speaker”, Engineer Rashid said while pointing towards Akbar Lone. He even went to the extent of dubbing Akbar Lone as ‘killer’ of Afzal Guru and demanded that he (Lone) should be booked and put behind the bars.
Following strong protest from the National Conference, Speaker expunged the derogatory remarks used by Engineer Rashid while referring to utilization of funds. With this, order was restored in the House but the same lasted within few minutes as Engineer Rashid while raising second supplementary reiterated: “I stand by my words”. This infuriated NC MLA Nazir Ahmed Gurezi, who shouted at Engineer Rashid to control his language and behave like MLA.
The situation turned ugly when amidst intense argument, Nazir Gurezi left his seat and moved towards Engineer Rashid with the warning that he would teach him a lesson. Even Engineer Rashid started leaving his seat while shouting at Nazir Gurezi. As both the MLAs virtually came to the blows, the Marshals in the House had to intervene. Even MLAs sitting on the Opposition benches moved and prevented Nazir Gurezi and Engineer Rashid from virtually hitting each other.
The high-pitched noisy scenes continued between the two sides for some time and the order in the House was restored after Speaker Kavinder Gupta again intervened.
“Behave properly. I have already ordered expunging of the remarks made by Engineer Rashid. Don’t speak such words in the future, I warn you”, Speaker said. He also asked Nazir Gurezi to mend his ways and said, “you should have not acted like you did…..please maintain decorum of the House. I am not going to tolerate such an attitude in future”.
PDP MLA and Minister for Haj and Auqaf, Abdul Rehman Veeri, while commenting on the ugly incident, said, “this is unfortunate….MLAs should not act like this. They should not make floor of the House a fighting ground”.
Later, Minister for Roads and Buildings Altaf Ahmed Bukhari, while replying to the question raised by Engineer Rashid, said that Government would ensure that justice is delivered to all the three regions of the State. “There would be equal distribution provided funds are not any constraint,” he added.
However, Engineer Rashid remarked, “You have entered into such a big deal with the BJP that they would not deject you as far as funds are concerned”.
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