SUMIT HAKHOO
Jammu, Feb 24: Uproarious scenes dominated the proceedings in the Legislative Assembly Friday as the legislators of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stormed into the well of the House demanding adjournment of the business to discuss issue of corruption.
As soon as the House convened for  today’s business, PDP members were on their feet  demanding debate on the issue of corruption in response to the motion brought in by the party seeking adjournment of Assembly business to discuss the issue. On the very outset, PDP members got up from their chairs and asked the Speaker to adjourn the business so that the issue of corruption could be discussed.
As the Speaker paid no attention to their demand, opposition members started shouting slogans against the government. While the opposition persisted on their demand, Speaker Muhammad Akbar Lone continued with the Question Hour amid the ruckus.
The PDP legislators finally staged walkout just five minutes before question hour was to end. Earlier, shouting slogans against the government, opposition sought detailed reply from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over the charges of corruption against his cabinet colleagues. “We want to know the fate of our adjournment motion. What has happened to it? Masses are seeking answers from the government. Stall the question hour as corruption is main issue at the moment”, said Abdul Rehman Veeri.
Veeri was joined by other MLAs of PDP, who continued slogan shouting as Minister of Tourism, Rigzin Jora begun to answer question of MLA Chaman Lal Gupta. As PDP members continued their protest, Speaker while pointing towards Veeri said, “Not even 12 hours have passed that you have changed your stance on the conduct of business in the House. We had decided and it was unanimously accepted by all the members during the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting that any issue will be taken after the question hour.”
On this PDP MLAs said; “Today corruption has become the main issue as it is affecting everyone in the state. It is more important than any other issue”.
As question hour continued and no attention was paid by the chair to the demands of opposition party for more than 30 minutes, PDP members stormed into the well, shouting slogans like, “Har Taraf Loot Hai, PDP Ka Ek Sawal, Paisa Kha Gaya Kon Dalal”.
As the opposition continued protest, there was argument between Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Sagar and PDP MLAs Nizam-ud-Din Bhat, Rafi Ahmad Mir and Zahoor Ahmed Mir.
“You are violating the writ of the House and the decision taken by the BAC, of which Speaker is the chairman. We have decided that after the question hour, important issue of whatever nature will be taken up”, Sagar said.
It further infuriated the PDP MLAs and they accused the government of trying to ignore the issue of corruption which is against the norms of democracy.
“Corruption is the main issue which is haunting the people of the state. You cannot ignore the right of the common man to seek explanation, where has the public money gone”, said Bhat.
“We have moved adjournment motion, under Rule 5-6, as extraordinary situation has been created by the charges of corruption against the Ministers. It need to be taken in consideration”, Bhat said.
PDP members alleged that the discussion on the issue of corruption was deliberately being deferred by the government as it will expose the misdeeds of the coalition partners.
As the uproar continued, at 10:55 am, just five minutes before question hour was to end, PDP staged walkout from the house after Leader of the Opposition, Mehbooba Mufti stood from her chair and urged the Speaker to hear them.
“Speaker Sir just listen to us. It is very tragic that you are not allowing members to discuss the issue of corruption”, Mehbooba said. While pointing towards the treasury benches, Mehbooba said, “Chief Minister Se Lekar, Minister Tak Ke Khilaf Inquiry Chal Rahe Hai, Yeh Kya Jawab Denge Sawlaoon Ka”.
“Logo Ki Bijli, Pani, Inki Jebon Main Ja Rehi Hai, Yeh Kya Jawab Denge, Hamare Savalo Ka”, she shouted while staging walk out with other party members. All of them stayed away from the business proceedings for the full day, after which the house business went on smoothly.

PDP MOVES ANOTHER ADJOURNMENT MOTION
Failing to ensure discussion on the alleged corruption in the state, PDP has again decided to press for adjournment of the normal business of assembly to discuss and debate the issue on Saturday.
The legislature party, which met here under its leader Mehbooba Mufti at her official residence, decided to press adjournment of the House over the latest developments in which Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues have been slapped notices by statutory bodies.
The party felt that adjournment was the best course where the high functionaries in question could be made accountable at least, in the interest of very survival of the system, in which unfortunately the people are losing confidence in the institutions of the state.
The PDP spokesman said the recent developments have further dented the image of the Government as people are openly questioning its moral, legal and constitutional authority to function with tainted tools.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 24 Feb 2012 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 25 Feb 2012 00:00:00 IST