BJP Legislators Stage Dharna Outside Jammu and Kashmir Assembly
On February 4th, BJP legislators in Jammu staged a dharna outside the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly after walking out of the House. They accused Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather of bias in allotting speaking time to ruling party members, claiming he was “muzzling the voice of the opposition.”
Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma led the protest, stating that the Speaker was shielding the government from providing adequate replies and shifting responsibility to previous regimes. The BJP members demanded transparency and accountability, highlighting alleged misappropriations and disparity towards the Jammu region.
During the discussion on the Lieutenant Governor’s address, Sharma criticized the limited time allotted to each party, preventing effective participation by opposition members. He emphasized the need for opposition voices to be heard and not suppressed.
While sitting on dharna, BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma reiterated the party’s commitment to being a constructive opposition, calling out the government for avoiding accountability. Despite attempts by NC members to persuade them to return to the House, some BJP members walked out, citing Speaker’s alleged lack of differentiation between members.
Before the walkout, tensions rose between BJP legislators and treasury bench members, with accusations of divisive politics and discussions on issues related to the Mata Vaishno Devi Medical College.
In conclusion, the BJP legislators’ protest highlighted their concerns about fairness and transparency in the Assembly proceedings. Their call for accountability and a level playing field for all members reflects their commitment to serving as a responsible opposition in Jammu and Kashmir.
