‘I Have an Ex-MLA at Home’: Pension Bill Sparks Laughter Amid Stormy J&K Assembly Session

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed heated exchanges over the statehood resolution on Tuesday, but the proceedings also had a lighter moment when Chief Minister Omar Abdullah moved the Bill proposing a ₹10,000 increase in the pension of former legislators.

As Omar spoke about the pension Bill, he looked towards the VIP gallery, where his father and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah was watching the proceedings. “Now, it will be easy for me to go back home today,” Omar remarked, prompting Farooq Abdullah to laugh and point at himself.

“I have a former MLA at home,” Omar added, drawing laughter from members across the House. The pension Bill was passed without opposition.

BJP protests statehood resolution

The lighter exchange came amid a tense session dominated by the fallout over the Assembly’s resolution seeking restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, which was passed by voice vote on Monday.

BJP legislators raised slogans against Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather and demanded that he vacate the chair. National Conference members responded with slogans against the BJP, including “vote chor” (vote thieves).

An exchange also took place between BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma and Speaker Rather. During the argument, Rather told Sharma, “I know the law, don’t teach me.”

When the Speaker announced the start of Question Hour, BJP legislators walked out of the House while raising slogans including “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and “Speaker Sahib, Kursi Chhodo”.

Omar withdraws salary hike Bill

The Assembly also took up Bills proposing higher salaries and allowances for the Chief Minister, ministers and legislators. However, BJP members opposed the proposed increases, citing public concerns over issues including pending demands of daily-wage workers and unemployment.

Omar subsequently announced that he was withdrawing the salary-related Bills, saying he had earlier made it clear that the proposed changes would require the support of the entire House. The House later approved their withdrawal.

The pension Bill for former legislators was treated separately and was passed with the proposed ₹10,000 increase.

Omar and Devyani Rana exchange

Another exchange took place when BJP MLA Devyani Rana sought to ask a supplementary question after Omar responded to her query. According to reports, Rana began making a statement instead, prompting objections from the Speaker and National Conference members.

Omar intervened, saying Rana was a new legislator and suggested that senior BJP members could help her understand the House rules.

Rana is the daughter of former National Conference leader Devender Singh Rana, who was once a close associate of Omar Abdullah before joining the BJP.