The conflict between the PDP and National Conference grew uglier on Wednesday, with the parties fighting pitched battles both in the House and on the streets. Even as PDP president Mehbooba Mufti tore up the CBI report giving Chief Minister Omar Abdullah a clean chit, the NC retaliated by accusing PDP MLA Muzaffar Beigh of being involved in “illicit relationships”. While this unfolded in the Assembly, angry mobs targeted the residences of PDP leaders.

 The day started with the Speaker handing to Mehbooba a letter from the CBI, which stated, “It is clarified that nine chargesheets in CBI case RC 1 (s)/2006/SCR III New Delhi were filed against 17 accused persons. The name of Shri Omar Abdullah does not figure in the list”.

Mehbooba, however, tore up the letter and demanded a judicial probe, while Beigh later alleged, “We never said Omar is in the chargesheeted list. We say there are two lists. One is the list of the 17 people chargesheeted by the CBI. And there is another prepared by the CBI from the statement of Sabeena (the kingpin). It is this other list which mentions Omar Abdullah’s name.”

However, soon after, NC minister Nazir Gurezi gave a questionnaire to the Speaker, Muhammad Akber Lone, for Beigh to answer.  The Speaker read the questionnaire which alleges that Beigh has had a series of “illicit affairs”, but the angry PDP leader tore the letter when asked for a reaction.  

Fuelling the acrimony further, the Speaker announced receipt and admission of a privilege motion against Beigh “for leveling allegations against the Chief Minister in violation of proper procedures and set business rules”. The motion was moved by 12 Congress and NC legislators.

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