CM, LoP lock horns over Assembly Session schedule

Sharma calls “5- sittings” a mockery; Omar defends decision

Srinagar, Sep 15: Setting the stage for a stormy session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma on Tuesday locked horns over the duration of the upcoming session.

In a preview of fireworks for upcoming session, the CM and LoP exchanged sharp words over the duration of the session.

“By limiting the J&K Assembly session to just five effective sittings, the government is making make mockery of the expectations of the people,” Sharma said.

He appealed to the Speaker to reconsider the schedule and extend the proceedings. “The Speaker should reconsider and extend the session by 30 days because there is no other place or platform where the people can raise their voices,” Sharma said.

He said the Assembly was the platform through which the expectations and concerns of the people could be raised.

“As the main opposition party, we are taking this very seriously because we are very serious about the issues of the people,” he said.

He said the opposition had expected the government to listen to public expectations and provide adequate time in the Assembly to address them.

Responding to the BJP’s criticism, Omar questioned how the government could be accused of being “non-serious” over summoning of seven-day session.

“What is non‑serious about it? It is a seven‑day session. It would have been non‑serious if we had followed the path shown by the BJP in their states, where they have held one‑ or two‑day sessions,” Omar said.

He said the ministers remained present in the J&K Assembly throughout the proceedings during the past sessions. “We sit in the Assembly from morning and leave in the evening,” he said.

Omar also questioned the BJP to go through Parliament’s functioning before questioning the J&K government. “These people never come to Parliament. They are never seen in Parliament,” he said. “Look at Parliament. Look at who sits for how long. Then you tell me who is taking it seriously and who is not,” Omar added.