Pandemonium in J&K Legislative Assembly over SASCI Remarks
In a dramatic turn of events, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly descended into chaos on Monday following remarks made by PDP MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para regarding the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI). The verbal clash between NC and PDP legislators ultimately led to the adjournment of the House.
The first sitting was abruptly cut short by over half an hour as Chief Whip of the National Conference, Mubarak Gul, who was presiding over the session, adjourned the House until 2:30 pm due to the ongoing uproar.
During the commotion, NC MLAs levied allegations against Para, claiming that he had a microphone concealed in his pocket. This sparked further controversy and prompted Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to order an investigation into the matter.
The root of the issue stemmed from Para’s criticism of SASCI during the general discussion on the J&K budget. Describing the scheme as dangerous, Para expressed concerns about the potential long-term implications of procuring market loans under SASCI, likening it to debts incurred by countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Accusing the government of jeopardizing the future of J&K by burdening it with loans, Para’s comments incited a strong reaction from NC members, leading to a chaotic exchange of words in the House.
As the situation escalated, NC members and Ministers engaged in a heated confrontation with Para and his colleagues, deriding them for politicizing a development scheme meant to provide interest-free financial aid.
Despite efforts by Gul to restore order, the House remained in disarray, prompting him to adjourn the session temporarily. The subsequent proceedings saw further clashes between NC, PDP, and BJP members, with accusations and counter-accusations flying amidst slogans and walkouts.
Outside the legislature, Para defended his stance, calling for a thorough examination of SASCI’s implications by a house committee. Meanwhile, NC chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq hailed SASCI as an innovative scheme that would elevate J&K’s infrastructure to a metropolitan level.
As the chaos continued into the second sitting, additional controversies erupted over the alleged presence of a microphone in Para’s possession, leading to a formal investigation by the Speaker.
The session also witnessed a heated debate between the Deputy Chief Minister and BJP legislators over the Katra ropeway issue, further intensifying the already tense atmosphere in the Assembly.
Despite the disruptions and disagreements, the House eventually resumed its proceedings, albeit amidst ongoing tensions and disagreements among the various political factions present.
