After six long years, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly convened its first session today. Following recent elections and the government formation process, the assembly session marked a significant event. On the first day, amid a flurry of activity, the assembly elected its Speaker as per the rules.
Senior National Conference (NC) leader and seven-time MLA Haim Rather emerged as the new Speaker, receiving congratulations from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Pro Tem Speaker Mubarak Gul.
However, chaos soon erupted in the House. Members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) engaged in a clash over Article 370, which the government abrogated on August 5, 2019. PDP MLA Waheed Para shocked everyone by moving a motion in the House calling for the enforcement of Article 370.
BJP MLAs fiercely opposed this proposal and demanded that the Speaker suspend him. Despite Speaker Haim Rather declaring that the motion was not accepted, BJP members persisted in their uproar, leading PDP MLAs to stage protests. The marshal eventually intervened in an attempt to restore order.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah pointed out the absurdity of expecting the BJP to reinstate Article 370. He emphasized that the people of Jammu and Kashmir cannot accept the decision made regarding Article 370, stating, “If they had accepted it, the outcome would not have been what it is today.” Abdullah dismissed the proposal as insignificant, suggesting that it was merely an attempt to gain media attention. He added that if the PDP had genuine intentions, they would have consulted with the NC before introducing such a motion.
Despite the tumult, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti praised MLA Waheed for bringing forward the proposal on the assembly’s first day.