JK Assembly witnesses first walk-out of session

Srinagar, Aug 2: Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today witnessed the first walkout of the session by a ruling Congress member after the Speaker disallowed his point of order.

When the house was discussing water shortage problem raised by Faqir Nath in his Chenani constituency, several members from treasury and opposition wanted to ask supplementaries.

Speaker Tara Chand disallowed the members with the ruling that only questions pertaining to particular constituency can be asked since the minister concerned would not have information about the entire state.

However, suddenly Mr Chand called the name of Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, leader of the Communist Party of India (M) in the house to ask supplementary.

On this, Congress member Yogesh Sawhney raised a point of order that how Mr Tarigami, who represents Kulgam constituency in the house, was allowed to speak.

''You are always allowing a particular member to speak while others are not getting proper attention from the chair,'' Mr Sawhney said adding other members, including those from opposition National Conference too should be allowed to speak on the issue.

However, when the Speaker allowed Mr Tarigami to speak, Mr Sawhney walked out in protest.

Mr Tarigami suggested a one-hour discussion since every member wanted to raise the issues of his constituency.

Later, Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig, who was directed by the Speaker to intervene, agreed to have a discussion on the issue after zero hour.

UNI