Rather rejects BJP motion seeking his removal as Assembly Speaker

Irfan Tramboo

SRINAGAR, Sept 28: The BJP today moved a motion seeking the removal of Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, with BJP MLA Ranbir Singh Pathania challenging his continuance in the chair and invoking Rule 250 at the outset of the day's proceedings.

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The move triggered a sharp exchange between Pathania and Rather, with the BJP MLA arguing that the Speaker could not preside over the House while the removal motion was under consideration.

"Under Rule 250, we have moved the motion for the Speaker's removal. Until the matter is settled, you cannot continue in the chair," Pathania said.

Pathania also accused Rather of allowing the Assembly to enter Parliament's domain, saying this violated the principle of separation of powers.

"You are the custodian of this House. We cannot repeatedly enter Parliament's domain or undermine the separation of powers," he said.

Citing Rule 250(2), Pathania said 23 members had supported the motion and, therefore, the Speaker should nominate another member to preside over the proceedings.

"You can conduct the business, but you cannot preside over it. You have to nominate someone else," he said.

Rather rejected the contention and said the prescribed procedure had to be followed.

"You are a good lawyer, but the procedure has to be followed. I have received the motion, but I have not yet seen the resolution," Rather said.

Reading out the relevant provision, he said a notice seeking leave to move a resolution for the Speaker's removal had to be entered in the List of Business on a day fixed by the Speaker, which could not be earlier than 14 days from receipt of the notice.

"You have not read the rule properly," Rather told Pathania.

Rejecting the demand to immediately vacate the chair, Rather said, "I cannot simply get up and leave the chair."

The confrontation at the start of the sitting put the Speaker's removal at the centre of the day's proceedings. The treasury benches also objected to the "language" used by Pathania.

Later, speaking to reporters after the Assembly adjourned, Pathania stepped up his attack on Rather, calling the Statehood resolution passed by the House earlier in the day a "fraud" and holding the Speaker responsible for what he described as an erosion of the dignity and decorum of the House.

The resolution had been moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday and passed on Monday after a discussion in which BJP members did not participate.

"This resolution is a fraud and reflects an all-time low in the dignity and decorum of the House. The Speaker is responsible for this, and we will soon take up the issue of his removal," Pathania said.

Questioning the impact of earlier Assembly resolutions, he said, "What happened to the 2000 resolution in 26 years? What happened to the special status resolution?"

Pathania said the BJP was ready to debate restoration of Statehood but rejected any demand for special status, citing the Supreme Court's judgment on Article 370.

"We are ready to discuss Statehood, but special status is no longer an issue after the Supreme Court's judgment," he said.

He also said there was no reason to doubt the restoration of Statehood, citing assurances by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

"The Home Minister has already assured Statehood. So where is the doubt?" Pathania said.