Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 22: Jammu-based Opposition MLAs today staged walk-out from the Legislative Assembly over the issue of delimitation of Assembly seats.
As soon as House assembled this morning, the MLAs of BJP, National Panthers Party and Jammu State Morcha alleged discrimination with Jammu region and demanded delimitation of Assembly constituencies to provide justice to the region.
However, some members of the PDP, National Conference and independent MLA from Langate, Engineer Rashid contested their allegations of discrimination and remarked, “how could you justify the discrimination when major share of Primary Health Centres has been taken by the Jammu region”.
On this, the Jammu-based Opposition MLAs resorted to slogans seeking end to discrimination with Jammu region. As Question Hour could not be started due to ruckus, the Speaker, Mubarak Gul said, “there is ban on delimitation till 2026 and all of you are aware of this”, adding “if you want to protest for the sake of news then you can carry on the same for sometime”.
CPM MLA Mohd Yousaf Tarigami, while intervening, sought to know from the Chair as to why action was not taken against the protesting MLAs for disrupting the proceedings of the House. On this, Speaker said, “they are protesting from their seats and have not trooped into well of the House”.
“Don’t make political issue in view of forthcoming elections. Don’t play to the gallery for the sake of news. Your point has already come, now allow the proceedings of the House”, Speaker told the agitating MLAs.
After 11 minutes long protest, the BJP, NPP and JSM MLAs staged walk-out and Engineer Rashid returned to his seat.
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