BJP, NC legislators spar over former Guv Malik’s tenure

As the Autumn session of the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Legislative Assembly commenced on Thursday, heated arguments were witnessed between the National Conference (NC) and the Opposition Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) legislators during obituary references to former Governor late Satya Pal Malik, former minister and other legislators who passed away since the last session.

Addressing the House, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather paid homage to former Governor Satya Pal Malik — the last Governor of the erstwhile state, former minister Gulchain Singh Charak, former MLA Dina Nath Bhagat, former MLC Ghulam Nabi Shaheen, former MLC Ramesh Arora, former MLC Sardar Mohammad Akhlaq Khan and former legislator Mohammad Sultan Pandithpori.

As Rather asked NC legislator Bashir Veeri to pay tributes during the obituary references, it triggered a row, after the latter termed Satya Pal Malik’s tenure as “controversial.” It was objected by the BJP legislators who exchanged heated words with NC legislators.

Before that, while paying tributes to former MLC and BJP leader Ramesh Arora, Veeri said though he was part of the “communal party”, Arora’s approach was always for brotherhood. This again was objected by the BJP legislators, who rose from their seats and objected to calling their party communal.

After the brief exchange of heated words, the Assembly soon returned to normalcy and the legislators from both the ruling and the Opposition parties paid tributes to departed leaders. The Speaker urged legislators to make the best use of the limited time available so that the proceedings were meaningful and beneficial to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

During his address, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said all departed leaders contributed in their own ways for the welfare of the people. “None of us is perfect. Mistakes are inevitable, whether made knowingly or unknowingly,” he observed.

The CM also suggested that the Assembly adopt a concise format for obituary references, similar to that of the Parliament. Speaker Abdul Raheem Rather said it would be duly considered.

The CM also expressed concern over the negligence of the district administration’s failure to inform the Assembly Secretariat about the demise of former Legislator Mohammad Sultan Pandithpori. “You have already taken note of the lapse, and I am sure the Chief Secretary must have also acted on it. An explanation must be sought from officials concerned,” he said.