Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 5: The Opposition PDP MLAs clashed with Minister of Higher Education, Mohammed Akbar Lone when he held the PDP senior leader and noted advocate Muzzafar Hussian Baig responsible for Makbool Bhat’s hanging in the Assembly today.
Soon Mr Baig finished his speech on Governor’s address, the Higher Education Minister stood up saying you were paid money to defend Maqbool Bhat and despite taking money you did not defend him.
This was strongly refuted by PDP leader who was also supported by his party colleagues including Nizam-ud-Din Bhat and Leader of Opposition Mehbooba Mufti and they took strong exception to Minister’s remarks. They all stood up from their seats and protested.
The Minister accused the PDP leader of hanging Maqbool Bhat and said he has no right to talk about Afzal Guru.
As PDP MLAs attacked the Minister in defense of their party colleague, Rashpal Singh, Bimla Luthra and Javed Dar also stood up to counter PDP and defend the Minister. The drama continues for over 20 minutes and a verbal duel also ensued between Akbar Lone and Mehbooba Mufti.
Countering the Minister, Nizam-ud-Din Bhat said that he should have not raised the issue as it pertains to People’s Conference led by its then leader Abdul Gani Lone who is not alive now.
He said that Muzzafar Baig had not taken money and the allegation leveled against him was wrong as at that time both Higher Education Minister and Nizam-ud-Din Bhat were in People’s Conference of Abdul Gani Lone. This ensued a spat between Bhat and Lone and the Minister passed some remarks against Muzzafar Baig again. Nizam-ud-Din Bhat who protested against the same urged the Speaker to expunge these remarks against his party colleague.
Intervening Minister of Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Mir Saifullah said that Baig’s today’s statement in the House was a testimony to the fact that opposition was making a political drama on Guru. He said Maqbool Bhat paid him money to plead his case but he failed to defend him.
Protesting against the Minister’s statement Javed Mustafa Mir came near the Well of the House in protest saying how did the Minister term the Opposition protest on Guru a drama. He asked is he in my (Mir’s) heart?
However, the MLA was pacified by Speaker and later he took his seat and order was restored in the House.
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