“You Are in My Heart”: Omar Abdullah’s Affectionate Reply to AAP MLA Sparks Laughter in Assembly

JAMMU, Mar 5:  A moment of lightheartedness unfolded in the Legislative Assembly today when Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reassured a visibly disgruntled Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator, Mehraj Malik, with an affectionate remark. “You are in my heart and a younger brother,” Abdullah told Malik, who had raised concerns over his seating arrangement in the House.

The exchange occurred during the Question Hour when Malik, representing the Doda Assembly constituency, intercepted the Chief Minister while he was responding to a query about the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (Power). Expressing his displeasure, Malik objected to being assigned a seat behind opposition BJP members, claiming he had been moved from the treasury benches to the opposition side.

Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather intervened, cautioning Malik to maintain decorum and warning that he could be marshaled out if he continued to disrupt proceedings. However, Malik remained vocal, earlier demanding the closure of liquor wholesale stores while discussing drug addiction and later criticizing the Government’s handling of power distribution in Doda.

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary stepped in, urging Malik to respect the leader of the House and observe proper conduct. Abdullah, in a bid to pacify the legislator, humorously clarified that the Speaker, as the House’s custodian, determines the seating arrangement. His lighthearted remark—expressing his fondness for Malik and wishing he could sit closer—drew laughter from the House, momentarily diffusing tensions.

The incident highlighted the spirited atmosphere in the Assembly while underlining Malik’s persistent efforts to raise pressing public concerns.