Adil Lateef
SRINAGAR, May 30: In a major embarrassment to coalition Government in the State, a verbal spar broke out between a ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Ramesh Arora and Health Minister Bali Bhagat today after Members of Legislative Council accused Government of adopting discriminatory and non-serious approach towards the House.
As soon as the House proceedings began this morning, Congress MLC, Ghulam Nabi Monga complained to Chairman Anayat Ali that the members of Upper House are being discriminated by the Government in terms of security and residential facilities.
“Why are we, Upper House Members, discriminated by the Government in terms of residential quarters, escort vehicles and security?”, he asked the Chairman in presence of Health Minister Bali Bhagat and Rural Development Department Minister Abdul Haq Khan. The Congress MLC’s complaint was endorsed by other members including from BJP’s Ramesh Arora.
The situation became embarrassing for ruling coalition after, for the third consecutive day, the microphones developed noise as the members of both Opposition and BJP charged Government with adopting non-serious approach towards the Upper House. “Question is the dignity of the House,” said Arora.
Amid chaotic scenes, the Health Minister Bali Bhagat told Arora: “Aaj Aisay Hi Kaam Chala Lo”. This infuriated Arora and he in angry tone said: “This is not the way. You people are not serious in the functioning of this House. This won’t work.” The verbal brawl between the two continued for several seconds and in the meanwhile the members of Opposition also endorsed Arora and supported him.
The BJP’s Arora and Congress’ Monga even threatened to boycott the Council proceedings ‘if Government doesn’t shun its non-serious and discriminatory approach. Similar verbal brawl between PDP MLAs and party’s Minister in Coalition Government was witnessed on Saturday last week over NFSA.
It must be mentioned here that the Chairman of the House, Haji Anayat Ali, was himself miffed at the ‘non-seriousness’ of Government towards Upper House when he found officers’ gallery empty last week on Thursday. The Chairman had then directed Government to ensure presence of Commissioner/Secretaries and other officers.
The Chairman following the complaints of MLCs today directed the Government to address the grievances. He also assured MLCs that the noisy microphones would be repaired in day’s time as the technical team has arrived from Delhi. “They (Government) has sought time… the technical team has arrived,” he said.
Earlier, last week, the MLCs had expressed their unhappiness over the absence of Ministers in the House. In the meanwhile, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti for the first time attended the Upper House proceedings of this year’s Budget session.
The Chief Minster arrived in the House at 11:20 am and sat next to RDD Minister Haq Khan. She left the House at 11:50 am, 30 minutes before her arrival. The Chief Minister didn’t speak to anyone and silently witnessed the proceedings before leaving the Council.
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