Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Sep 28
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday moved a motion seeking the removal of Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, accusing him of allowing Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s statehood resolution in violation of House rules.
BJP legislator R S Pathania told the assembly that 23 lawmakers supported the motion and argued that Rather should not continue conducting proceedings while it was pending.
“You are the custodian of the House, but you allowed the resolution of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in violation of the rules,” Pathania told the Speaker.
Rather said the motion would be listed for business after 14 days, in accordance with the assembly’s rules.
“You are a good lawyer. You can bring a motion. I have not seen it yet. If you read Rule 215, the procedure to be followed is laid down in the rules,” Rather said.
Pathania argued that parliamentary precedents allowed a Speaker to step aside while such a motion was pending.
Rather rejected the comparison, saying those precedents applied after the House had granted leave and that the same procedure did not apply to the Jammu and Kashmir assembly.
The exchange continued as ruling-party members urged the Speaker to begin Question Hour.
BJP members then raised slogans calling for Rather to step down and accused the treasury benches of violating constitutional principles.
