Jammu, Feb 28: Amid boycott by Panthers Party, walkout by the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs and protest by independent MLA Engineer Rashid during the Governor’s address, the annual Budget session of Jammu and Kashmir state legislature began on a stormy note here Monday.
However, contrary to the expectations the largest opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) surprised everyone with its conspicuous silence during the Governor’s address.
 Though, the three NPP MLAs and lone MLC did not turn up for the joint session, BJP members – wearing national flags - entered the hall raising slogans against the state government for not allowing party’s Ekta Rally to proceed towards Kashmir Valley, last month.
 BJP MLAs entered the Legislative hall shouting slogans, “Tirange Jande ka Apman Nahi Sahange (Will not tolerate disrespect to national flag)”. They also shouted slogans against the Omar Abdullah government for discriminating with the Jammu region and allegedly gagging the voice of the nationalist forces in the state.
 Soon after playing of national anthem, as the Governor started his address, BJP Legislature Party leader Chaman Lal Gupta along with other MLAs got up from their seats and appealed Vohra to “pay attention to some important issues”.
 “Our national leaders were manhandled by the government and were not allowed to unfurl flag in Srinagar. They were denied their constitutional right”, Gupta said. He said that the state government is weakening the nationalist forces. “The accession of the state with India is full and final and it cannot be revoked and we will continue to work for total integration of J&K with rest of the country”, Gupta said.
 Later all the BJP members alongwith Jammu State Morcha (JSM) MLA Ashwani Sharma staged a walkout and sat on Dharna outside the Assembly.

PANTHERS STAYED AWAY
 All the Panthers Party MLAs stayed away from the address of Governor NN Vohra. The four party legislators boycotted the joint session over the alleged failure of the state government to fulfil the promises made by it during the last year’s budget session. Party also staged protest outside the central hall and alleged that the government has failed on all fronts, be it employment generation, development or ending discrimination with the regions.
 The party leaders were conspicuous with their absence till the governor NN Vohra entered the hall. They suddenly appeared outside the main gate and started raising slogans.
 “Government has made mockery of the system and it has failed to fulfil its promises made by him in his speech to the joint session, last year”, NPP president Harsh Dev Singh said. He alleged unemployed youth and contractual employees were suffering and were being subjected to harassment.
 “The Government has failed to take action against corrupt Ministers and leaders and is patronizing them, while the regional discrimination has reached its peak”, Harsh Dev alleged.

RASHID PROTESTS HR VIOLATIONS
 Holding government responsible for the increased human rights violations in Kashmir, MLA Langate, Engr Rashid raised slogans against the Coalition government before the Governor NN Vohra started his address.
 He alleged that Kashmir has been turned into prison and youth are being harassed by the security agencies.
 “Human rights of the innocent people have been trampled by the government and youth are being harassed by the agencies”, he alleged.
 He also raised the issue of change in the emblem by the Ladhak Hill Development Council and alleged that this has been done under a conspiracy.

PDP SURPRISE
 Amid the voices of dissent, the largest opposition party, PDP, surprised everyone with its silence during the joint session. The party leaders remained completely silent and did not raise any issue before the governor.
 Beside their silence, the party also remained conspicuous with the absence of its patron Mufti Muhammad Sayeed and senior leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 28 Feb 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 28 Feb 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 1 Mar 2011 00:00:00 IST