SRINAGAR: The State Legislative Council today witnessed unprecendented scenes as members cutting across party lines staged a walkout en masse protesting against “attacks on the dignity of the House” and not being given their “rightful privileges”.
As soon as the proceedings of the House began this morning, BJP MLC Ajat Shatru Singh brought up independent MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid’s reported remarks that the Legislative Council was a “rehabilitation centre” for politicians.
“We have brought the MLA’s issue to the notice of the Privilege Committee but there has been no action so far against him (Rashid). Also, the members of the House are being discriminated against and are not given their rightful privileges,” Singh said.
On this, all the members — from ruling PDP and BJP to opposition National Conference and Congress — staged a walk-out en masse.
Responding to issues raised by the members, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti later assured the House that the Government would try to create a balance between the powers and the privileges of the MLCs and the MLAs.
“It is difficult to balance it as an MLA thinks it (constituency) is his own capital, his area, but we will try to balance it without disturbing the powers and privileges of the MLA,” she said.
Legislative Council chairman Inayat Ali tried to persuade the members to take their seats and listen to the ministers present there.
However, the agitating MLCs did not budge from their stance, forcing the chairman to adjourn the House for 10 minutes. (AGENCIES)
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