Ruckus in J&K Assembly over 'bias' remark by NC member

Jammu, Mar 25: Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Wednesday witnessed ruckus after ruling BJP and PDP members slammed National Conference member Javed Rana for accusing Speaker Kavinder Gupta of being "biased" and demanded action against him.

Trouble started as soon as House met for the day with BJP and PDP members protesting against the comments made by Rana last evening in which he had alleged that he was being denied permission to speak in the debate on Budget.

Last evening, Rana had said, "I am denied time to speak. I have not been allowed in the House to speak on Governor's address and now on budget. I am discriminated against. The Speaker had said he has allotted time to all the parties and he should talk to his party leader.

Protesting against his remarks strongly on Wednesday, BJP and PDP accused him of insulting the Chair by making "unparliamentary" remarks and demanded action against him.

Some BJP members led by Sat Sharma trooped into the Well of the House, shouting slogans against Rana. Rana and some of his party colleagues shouted back, leading to uproar.

Sat Sharma said Rana has used "unparliamentary language" against the Speaker which is uncalled for.

He said the NC member has lowered the respect of the House and the decorum of the House.

Amid noisy scenes, CPI(M) member M Y Tarigami demanded expunging of the words used by Rana, saying these are not in conformity with the decorum of the House.

He also asked senior NC members to stop their members from repeating such words against the Chair.

The Speaker said the member had used "unparliamentary language" against him and "this does not behave you as senior member of the House".

Asking Rana and other members to take their seats, the Speaker told the NC member, "You should not speak. You should not repeat such words again."

BJP members, however, persisted with demands for action against him. After disruptions for over half an hour, the House took up the Question Hour.

PTI