Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council today witnessed ruckus as members, cutting across party lines, demanded apology from Social Welfare Minister Sajjad Lone over his alleged remark against PDP MLC Zaffar Iqbal Manhas.
Lone had accused Manhas of playing to the galleries for publicity.
"The minister has accused PDP MLC Zaffar Iqbal Manhas of playing to the galleries in order to get his photo published in the media," the MLCs said.
"This is not a matter of an individual member but of the whole House and its sanctity," Congress MLC G N Monga said, adding that "the members of the Council were public representatives and had a right to raise issues of public importance."
He said the behavior of the ministers towards the legislators was condemnable and yesterday's incident in which minister used harsh words against the member of the House was unfortunate.
"We have seen how the ministers are non-serious towards this House," Monga said, seeking an apology from the minister before the House.
Legislators from all the parties including ruling PDP, BJP and Opposition Congress and National Conference supported Monga and sought an apology from Lone.
"I do not need any publicity and the minister should behave properly while replying to the queries of the members. I have achieved a lot in my life and I am content with it. We are here to raise the issues of public," Manhas said.
Minister for Rural Development Abdul Haq Khan pacified the agitated members by saying that the members of the House and the ministers should be tolerant to each other's diverse view points.
