The opening day of the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly’s autumn session witnessed fierce political turbulence on Monday, as opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators staged aggressive demonstrations inside the House over rising electricity tariffs and the long-pending demand to regularize daily-wagers.

High drama unfolded immediately following the conclusion of obituary references. Opposition benches erupted in unison, with BJP lawmakers rising from their seats, waving placards, and shouting slogans aimed directly at the administration’s utility and employment policies.

While ministers attempted to proceed with official business by answering questions tabled by colleagues, the escalating din quickly drowned out orderly deliberations. Counter-arguments broke out when Congress legislators Irfan Hafiz Lone and Iftikhar Ahmad voiced objections to the interruption, engaging in sharp exchanges across the floor.

The confrontation peaked as CPI(M) stalwart Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami rose to address the disruption. In response, several BJP MLAs stormed the Well of the House, intensifying their demonstrations inches from the presiding chair. The treasury benches swiftly mounted a political counter-offensive, with National Conference (NC) members chanting slogans demanding the immediate restoration of Jammu & Kashmir’s full statehood.

Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather issued repeated appeals urging the opposition members to vacate the Well, cautioning them that unparliamentary conduct would invite disciplinary action. Despite firm directives from the chair, the protesting legislators refused to step back.

Following the formal introduction of a bill amending the cooperative law by Minister for Rural Development Javid Dar amid ongoing uproar, Speaker Rather adjourned the House for the day.