PDP creates ruckus in Jammu and Kashmir assembly

Ruckus in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly Tuesday forced the speaker to adjourn the session after the PDP legislators protested over setting up of new administrative units in the state.

People's Democratic Party's legislators thumped desks and stood up at their seats alleging the state government's recent decision to set up 659 new administrative units was politically motivated. They alleged the move was to strengthen the electoral prospects of the ruling Congress-National Conference alliance.

A PDP legislator from Dharhal constituency in Rajouri district jumped into the well of the house, shouting slogans against the state government's alleged discriminatory decision.

Speaker Mubarak Gul's repeated requests to maintain order in the house failed to calm the agitating legislators after which the speaker adjourned the house for 15 minutes. When the house met again, PDP legislators continued to agitate. There were heated exchanges between Independent legislator from Langat constituency Engineer Rasheed and minister Mohammad Akbar Lone from the National Conference.

Speaking to media persons outside the assembly, PDP president and legislator Mehbooba Mufti said there has been gross discrimination against areas represented by the PDP in the proposed new administrative units. She said her party would not allow normal functioning of the house till the rights of people seeking new administrative units are met.