Jammu, April 4: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed sharp exchanges Saturday as National Conference minister Sakina Itoo launched a personal attack on PDP legislator Waheed ur Rehman Para, accusing him of breaching parliamentary decorum.
“You have resorted to personal attacks. Since you have done so, it’s fine — I will too,” the Education Minister said, turning towards the opposition benches.
Without naming Para but making her target clear, Itoo said: “I am not among those who took people in vehicles and got them killed by DYSPs. Nor am I among those who seated militants in vehicles and got people murdered.”
She said, “I am not among those who go to jail in name but then stay in hotels. Nor am I among those who can be dictated to from somewhere about what to say here.”
The confrontation followed an earlier debate in which education minister Sakina Itoo held the PDP responsible for the abrogation of Article 370 and the current political situation in the Union Territory. Opposition benches raised strong objections, leading to noisy scenes.
Minister Itoo also questioned MLA Para’s business interests, asking, “How many cold storages does he have?” and requested the Speaker to investigate.
Referring to his remarks on her educational qualifications, she said: “It’s fine if I haven’t read much — what is your problem? Why do you bring personal attacks here?”
Demanding an apology, she said: “The entire history is known to people. He should speak with decency in the House and should apologise by rising from his seat.”
Notably, The exchange marked one of the most personal confrontations in the Assembly this session, underlining the bitter rivalry between the NC and the PDP.
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