The first day of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly started on a stormy note as political parties clashed over a resolution that was moved to seek revocation of Article 370 and restoration of special status to the erstwhile state.
People's Democratic Party MLA Waheed Para moved the resolution immediately after veteran National Conference (NC) leader and seven-time MLA Abdul Rahim Rather was elected as the first speaker of the assembly.
"Keeping the sentiments of the people of J&K in mind, this House opposes the revocation of the special status (of Jammu and Kashmir)," said the Pulwama MLA as he moved the resolution.
Bharatiya Janata Party was quick to protest the move as all 28 MLAs stood up to oppose the resolution. BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma called for Para's suspension for bringing the resolution in violation of assembly rules, according to a PTI report.
Several requests by Rather to the protesting members to take their seats went in vain. He said that he has not received the resolution yet and will examine it when he does.
As BJP legislators refused to budge, NC MLAs lashed out at them for interrupting the proceedings of the House and amid the commotion, NC MLA Shabir Kullay rushed into the well.
Chief Minister and Leader of the House Omar Abdullah said, "We knew that a member was preparing to bring a resolution but we thought he would do so after the speaker's election, the LG's address and obituary references. We are dealing with it right away."