J-K Assembly adjourned over corrupt minister issue

Agencies Posted: Jan 14, 2008 at 1259 hrs
Jammu, January 14: Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was adjourned for half an hour on Monday after protests by the opposition over allegations levelled by Cong-supported independent MLA that a minister took a bribe of Rs 40,000 from him.

MLA Shoaib Lone, on Friday, had alleged that a minister had taken a bribe of Rs 40,000 and also demanded a CBI probe into the killing of his father and former PDP Minister Ghulam Nabi Lone.

As the Assembly started on Monday, opposition members called for an explanation from Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad about Lone's allegations and also demanded a CBI probe into the death of former PDP Minister Ghulam Nabi Lone.

Leader of Opposition A R Rather, charged that the CM was resorting to "hollow slogans of war against corruption" and was shielding top ministers and politicians who have been indicted by the State Accountability Commission (SAC).

"If an MLA levels allegations against a minister for corruption and CM does not respond, then it is proved that it is a government of corrupt politicians," he said.

Jammu Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) leader Harshdev Singh, alleged that the CM was only projecting his image through media to impress his leadership in New Delhi as a crusader against corruption but in realty he was shielding corrupt ministers.

Meanwhile, Lone stepped up his allegations by saying that government hatched a conspiracy to kill his father under a design as PDP party was breaking at that point of time.

National Conference (NC) submitted an adjournment motion to discuss the issue on the floor of the house which was rejected by Speaker Tara Chand, following which there was uproar in the House.

Later, he adjourned the house for half an hour.