J&K speaker leaves PDP-BJP govt red-faced on protocol as opposition stages walkout
JAMMU : The Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly speaker Kavinder Gupta on Wednesday left the PDP-BJP government red-faced after he revealed how his security protocol was breached by the deputy chief minister Dr Nirmal Kumar Singh’s motorcade, prompting legislators from the opposition to huddle themselves near the well and then stage a walk out as a mark of “solidarity” with the speaker.
The speaker also regretted that despite his written complaint to the police, the latter didn’t revert to him, probably to please him (deputy CM).
It all began this morning during discussion on grants when legislators from cutting across treasury benches and opposition voiced their concern over breach of their protocol and privileges by government officers.
Independent MLA from Udhampur, Pawan Gupta said there have been instances when his protocol was also violated.
Gupta said he saw a plaque at Bahu Fort Temple in Gandhi Nagar constituency where the name of deputy chief minister was written above speaker’s name on a sun-shade. “It should not have happened”, he added.
The speaker was elected from this vast constituency at the last assembly polls in 2014.
Gupta also mentioned that during the inauguration of Chenani-Nashri tunnel by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year in Udhampur, he was not allowed share the podium.
At this stage, speaker intervened and asked parliamentary affairs minister AR Veeri to ensure strict adherence to the protocol guaranteed under the constitution to the legislators.
As soon as speaker finished with these remarks, opposition members from the National Conference and the Congress started protesting.
Amid sloganeering against the government and in support of the speaker, the opposition huddled themselves near the well and sought a response from the government. After protests they staged a walkout from the House.
Parliamentary affairs minister Veeri said the issue flagged by the speaker was “genuine and serious”.
“The House has expressed its concern. We will surely look into it,” he added.
Later, Congress legislature party leader Nawang Rigzin Jora said that the opposition walked out to express solidarity with the speaker and for the rights and privileges of legislators.
Jora regretted that when protocol of the speaker was breached then what could be the fate of legislators.
The CPI (M) MLA, M Y Tarigami also expressed concern over lackadaisical approach of ministers and government officials to issues of public grievances flagged by the legislators. He cited the instance of house panel on environment headed by him and said that officials do not take their queries seriously.
MLA RASHID BOYCOTTS ASSEMBLY
As an independent MLA from Langate Sheikh Abdul Rashid, on Wednesday boycotted the assembly proceedings over an alleged assault by marshals,
The J&K legislative assembly’s deputy speaker Nazir Gurezi urged him to return to the House while speaker Kavinder Gupta assured to talk to the legislator.
Rashid on Tuesday was marshalled out on the directions of the deputy speaker when he was exchanging barbs with National Conference MLA and former speaker MA Lone on alleged backdoor appointments.