J-K Assembly session LIVE | Govt to make all efforts to restore statehood: LG
Abdul Rahim Rather elected Speaker as J&K holds first Assembly session after six years; chaos breaks out after PDP MLA moves resolution on Article 370
Jammu and Kashmir is holding its first Assembly session today (November 4) after a gap of six years, in which time it has been bifurcated and downgraded into a Union Territory (UT) besides Article 370 being abrogated.
Senior NC MLA Abdul Rahim Rather was elected as the Speaker as the session started.
On Sunday evening, the National Conference (NC), which returned to power in alliance with the Congress in the recently concluded state polls, held a meeting of its legislature party and alliance partners, in Srinagar.
All eyes are now on NC’s resolution on Article 370 in the Assembly session. The party has proposed to bring a resolution on Article 370 to “register a protest against the Centre’s measures taken on August 5, 2019”.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has pledged to bring the resolution in the Assembly in its first session. The NC has the support of 55 MLAs in the 90-member Assembly.
Follow LIVE updates below:
J&K LG Manoj Sinha on Monday said the high voter turnout in the Assembly polls reflected the enduring faith of the people in the democratic process, but the aspiration for the return to statehood remains strong.
In his maiden address to the first-ever legislative assembly of the Union territory of J-K, he said, “We gather here after the successful culmination of elections after a decade.”
Sinha said the high turnout, particularly in regions that traditionally could not participate fully because of separatist sentiments, was very encouraging.
“PM Modi has reiterated the commitment for the restoration of J-K's statehood at the earliest. My government will make efforts for the restoration of the statehood, and create enabling atmosphere for development,” Sinha said.
He said the council of ministers has recently passed a unanimous resolution calling for the restoration of statehood. It reflects the collective will and all stakeholders have to work together as one team to achieve that.
Sinha said the people have high hopes from the government and all stakeholders should extend full support to the government to fulfil the hopes and aspirations of the people.
He said the government is fully committed to fulfil its promises for further political empowerment of the people.
“My government is committed to provide 200 units per household. The modalities are being worked out. We are exploiting the hydel electric resources, and J-K will be self-sufficient in electricity by the year 2026,” he added.PDP MLA Waheed Para moved a resolution in the Assembly opposing the abrogation of Article 370 and calling for the restoration of special status to the erstwhile state, leading to noisy scenes in the House.
The Pulwama MLA moved the resolution immediately after veteran NC leader and seven-time MLA Abdul Rahim Rather was elected as the first Speaker of the legislative Assembly of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Keeping the sentiments of the people of J&K in mind, this House opposes the revocation of the special status (of Jammu and Kashmir),” Para said as he moved the resolution.
This drew protests from BJP MLAs, all 28 of whom stood up to oppose the move.
BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma demanded Para’s suspension for bringing the resolution in violation of Assembly rules.
Rather repeatedly requested the protesting members to take their seats but in vain. He said the resolution has not come to him yet and when it does, he will examine it.
With the BJP members refusing to budge, NC MLAs lashed out at them for interrupting the proceedings of the House. Amid the din, NC MLA Shabir Kullay rushed to the well.
The BJP members relented after Rather pointed out that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha would be addressing the House.
Chief Minister and Leader of the House Omar Abdullah said, “We knew that a member was preparing to bring a resolution but we thought he would do so after the Speaker’s election, the LG’s address and obituary references. We are dealing with it right away.”
He said while he did not want to make a political speech, he had spoken at the outset with the hope that he was speaking on behalf of the entire House.
“This assembly reflects the sentiments of the people of J&K. The truth is that the people have not validated the decisions of August 5, 2019. Had that been the case, the results (of the assembly elections) would have been different.
“However, how to raise the issue and bring it on record will not be decided by one MLA. The resolution brought today has no value other than (that) it was done for the cameras,” he said.
“In the coming days, we will bring a proposal in consultation with you (speaker),” he said, requesting the Chair to adjourn the House till the LG’s address.
The House then witnessed noisy scenes again between members of NC, PDP, People's Conference (PC) and Awami Ittehad Party (AIP).
“I request new members to learn the rules. You have violated them on the very first day. I will not allow it, mind it,” the Speaker said before adjourning the House till 11.30 am.