Politics – Omar Abdullah Expresses Regret Over Assembly Remarks
Politics – Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said he regretted certain comments made during a heated debate in the Legislative Assembly, adding that he would not object if the Speaker decided to remove any inappropriate words from the official record.
CM Leaves Decision to Speaker
Addressing the House, Abdullah stated that if any part of his speech from the previous day was considered unparliamentary, it could be expunged. He emphasized that the matter was now in the hands of the Speaker and made it clear that he would abide by the decision without protest.
His remarks came after two days of tense exchanges in the Assembly, where members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanded an apology from the Chief Minister. The opposition legislators alleged that certain statements directed at them crossed the line of acceptable parliamentary language. The situation escalated during Question Hour, leading BJP members to stage a walkout in protest.
Heated Exchanges Trigger Disruption
Referring to the controversy, Abdullah acknowledged that emotions sometimes run high during debates. He admitted that some of his comments may have caused offence and expressed regret for that. However, he also noted that his remarks were aimed at political opponents and did not involve personal references to family members.
The Chief Minister further claimed that while exiting the House, some BJP members brought up references to his parents and his late grandfather. Despite this, he said he chose not to escalate the matter further, indicating his intent to move past the dispute in the interest of maintaining order.
Opposition Response
Before Abdullah addressed the Assembly, BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma suggested that the issue may have stemmed from a “slip of the tongue.” He maintained that nothing particularly serious had been said by members of his party and called for a measured approach to the disagreement.
The exchange highlights ongoing friction between the ruling administration and the opposition benches, although both sides appeared to signal a willingness to ease tensions.
Emphasis on Working Relationships
Abdullah also pointed out that he has maintained cordial relations with legislators across party lines. Over the past one and a half years, he said, he has engaged with MLAs from different political backgrounds in an effort to address public concerns.
He added that he would have clarified or withdrawn his comments sooner had he been given the opportunity to speak at the time the issue arose. According to him, the moment to provide immediate clarification was not made available during the earlier proceedings.
Concerns Over Legislative Business
Reiterating his responsibilities as Chief Minister, Abdullah said he represents citizens from every part of Jammu and Kashmir and takes seriously the concerns raised by the Opposition. He acknowledged that some questions directed at the government are challenging but insisted that they deserve responses.
He also warned that repeated disruptions in the Assembly could delay the passage of grants related to important departments such as Education, Health, and Social Welfare. Such delays, he said, would ultimately affect people across constituencies, something he wants to avoid.
The Chief Minister concluded by stressing the importance of maintaining decorum in the House so that legislative work can proceed without obstruction. With budgetary approvals and policy discussions pending, both the government and opposition face pressure to ensure that debates remain focused on governance rather than personal disputes.