SRINAGAR: Political tensions flared in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday following the visit of Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers staging a protest. The demonstrations were led by Udhampur East MLA RS Pathania, who alleged that the local legislator was deliberately excluded from the Deputy Chief Minister’s official outreach programme and inspections of development projects in the region.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that as Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary’s convoy traversed Majalta tehsil headquarters, BJP members present held black flags and raised slogans expressing their discontent. The protest centred on what they described as the sidelining of the area’s elected representative from the official proceedings.
According to the itinerary released by the Deputy Chief Minister’s personal staff, his engagements included inspecting progress on three key infrastructure projects: the Sidhra-Surinsar-Mansar Road, the construction of a double-lane motorable bridge on the Majalta Link Road, and ongoing work at the Munsif Court Complex in Majalta.
In response to his alleged exclusion and the Deputy Chief Minister’s actions, MLA RS Pathania submitted a formal notice for breach of privilege and contempt of the House to Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather. Pathania asserted in his notice that the Deputy Chief Minister’s conduct constituted a direct contravention of the government’s standing directives, which stipulate that all local legislators must be invited to official functions taking place within their constituencies.
The MLA further argued that the organisation of an outreach camp and the undertaking of on-site inspections without the involvement of the local Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) fundamentally violated the privileges and immunities afforded to a member of the legislative body. Pathania contended that this constituted a prima facie breach of parliamentary norms.
The political dispute has escalated into a public exchange between the Deputy Chief Minister and MLA Pathania. Pathania has reportedly called for the Deputy Chief Minister’s removal from his position, citing complaints allegedly lodged against him by National Conference legislators. These complaints were reportedly raised during a meeting presided over by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on June 3, according to reports.
The Chenab Times News Desk