ASSEMBLY ROUND-UP: Chaos in Assembly as public issues drowned amid political power play

Article 370 sparked factional dispute, session ends without public resolution

JAMMU: The recently concluded assembly session was marred by noise and disorder, a scenario that often benefits the government by diverting attention from crucial issues and escaping accountability.
Over five days, public concerns were drowned in the chaos, as political agendas dominated discussions. The government's proposal, submitted under pressure, faced opposition walkouts that effectively disrupted any meaningful dialogue, leaving the public's voice unheard.
From the onset, it was clear that decorum would not be maintained. Discussions quickly devolved into contention, especially regarding Article 370, a topic that left the Jammu and Kashmir assembly session and became part of the Maharashtra elections' political discourse.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were drawn into the debate, reiterating that the abrogation of Article 370 was final and non-negotiable. The repeated discussions on this issue, despite being beyond the assembly's jurisdiction, underscored the power struggle at play rather than any productive legislative purpose.
A former Speaker lamented the session's direction, stating that focusing on an issue outside the assembly's control was unproductive and unnecessary. With the Supreme Court and Parliament having already settled the matter, there was little reason to revisit it. He also highlighted that such disruptions reflect an archaic mindset, describing the forced ejections of MLAs as “the murder of democracy.”
The Congress party’s silence, which many found notable, was interpreted as tacit complicity in this divisive atmosphere. Omar Abdullah, representing the government, expressed that he intended to encourage dialogue, but the opposition's walkout made it unfeasible.
This assembly session was particularly significant as it was the first session after Jammu and Kashmir’s transition into a Union Territory and marked the first elections in a decade. Expectations were high, especially from the PDP, which has been vocal about the government’s unmet promises to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Yet, instead of raising relevant public issues, the PDP’s actions were equally complicit in wasting the assembly's time.
Hari Om, a noted historian and a former political leader said that the tension-filled session was not surprising, as the conflicts within the PDP-BJP alliance had roots from the beginning.
The outcome, he observed, was inevitable due to the assembly's unbalanced representation and internal pressures within Omar Abdullah’s administration. Figures like Rashid Engineer’s brother, the PDP’s three members, and Sajjad Lone added to the mounting pressures that weakened Omar’s ability to unify the assembly for a shared purpose.
After the Lieutenant Governor’s address, there was a glimmer of hope that the assembly might produce a roadmap for Jammu and Kashmir’s development. However, this was quickly dashed by continued factional displays. The National Conference and PDP allegedly entering the session with divisive intentions were unacceptable. The session could have provided an opportunity for collaboration, yet neither side made an attempt at reconciliation or constructive discussion.

Updated On 11/10/2024 12:51:44 AM