Srinagar, J & K : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday praised BJP MLA Yudhvir Sethi for remaining in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and raising issues concerning his constituents even as other BJP members staged a walkout during the ongoing autumn session.

The development came after National Conference legislators raised the demand for restoring a holiday on the birth anniversary of former Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah. BJP members opposed the demand and walked out of the House, raising slogans in favour of Maharaja Hari Singh.

Sethi, however remained seated and continued participating in the proceedings. He subsequently raised a question in the Assembly, prompting Omar to commend his decision to stay back and take up public issues.

“I salute the MLA for standing apart from his party and raising people’s issues,” Omar said while responding to Sethi’s question. The Chief Minister added that the BJP legislator had chosen to use the Assembly in the interest of his constituents, describing the episode as a distinction between a “real and a fake MLA.”

The exchange came on the second day of the Assembly’s autumn session, amid a political contest over the demand concerning Sheikh Abdullah’s birth anniversary. The BJP has opposed the move, while NC legislators have sought restoration of the holiday.

Sethi’s decision to remain in the House despite the walkout stood out during the proceedings, with the Chief Minister publicly acknowledging his participation and proceeding to answer the BJP MLA’s question.

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