SRINAGAR: BJP MLA R.S. Pathania on Monday moved a no-confidence motion against Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, triggering noisy scenes in the House as BJP legislators raised slogans demanding that the Speaker step down. The motion was reported during the ongoing autumn session of the Assembly.
BJP members raised slogans of “Kursi chhodo, kursi chhodo, Speaker sahib kursi chhodo” as the House witnessed disruptions.
Responding to the motion, Rather said the notice would be listed in the business of the House and processed in accordance with the applicable rules and procedure.
The confrontation came shortly before Question Hour when Pathania questioned the role of the House and the Speaker in moving resolutions and legislation, apparently referring to legislative business taken up during the ongoing session.
His remarks prompted interruptions from members of the ruling National Conference. Rather, however, asked them not to interrupt Pathania and allowed him to make his point.
“You sit down. Let him (Pathania) speak. He has a point,” the Speaker told the House.
While responding to Pathania’s arguments, Rather said the BJP legislator had not correctly interpreted the relevant rules. “It is unfortunate that you didn’t read the rule properly,” Rather said, adding that Pathania, being a practising lawyer, should have read the provision carefully.
The exchange comes amid heightened political tensions during the Assembly’s September 21-30 autumn session, with the House also scheduled to take up discussion on a resolution concerning restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. The official Assembly portal lists the current session as the Sixth Session of the J&K Legislative Assembly.
The latest confrontation adds to a series of contentious exchanges during the session, which has already witnessed disruptions and disagreements between BJP members and ruling National Conference legislators.
