NEW DELHI: BJP leader and leader of opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly Sunil Sharma on Friday rejected chief minister Omar Abdullah’s resolution seeking the restoration of full statehood, saying the BJP would not allow any debate on autonomy or Article 370.Sharma called the resolution as “controversial, disputed, and invalid” and said the BJP would oppose any attempt to reopen issues that it considers settled.The resolution moved by Omar sought the “immediate and urgent restoration” of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.Its introduction led to heated exchanges in the assembly, with BJP members entering the well of the House and clashes reported between opposition and ruling National Conference legislators.Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather adjourned the House for 30 minutes after repeated appeals to the protesting MLAs to return to their seats went unheeded.The resolution states: “In addition to the resolutions passed by this House on 26 June 2000 and 6 November 2024, the House calls upon the Government of India for the immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and resolves that this resolution be forwarded to the Government of India.”The National Conference-led government under Farooq Abdullah had passed a resolution on June 26, 2000, seeking restoration of greater autonomy as it existed before August 9, 1953. The assembly passed another resolution on November 6, 2024, seeking restoration of special status.Reacting to the latest resolution, Sharma referred to the 2000 autonomy resolution and said it had been rejected by the Centre during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure, when Omar Abdullah was part of the NDA government.“The resolution moved today is controversial and disputed. The so-called autonomy resolution that the BJP had rejected and torn apart during Vajpayee’s tenure — while Omar Abdullah was in his government — bringing up that resolution again today, or referencing their so-called 2024 resolution on special status, makes this an entirely controversial, unacceptable, and invalid resolution that the BJP will never tolerate,” the J&K LoP said.Sharma said the BJP completely rejected the resolution and asked Omar Abdullah to clarify whether he continued in Vajpayee’s cabinet after the autonomy resolution was rejected.He also accused the ruling government of invoking earlier resolutions to generate public sentiment and divert attention from its performance in Jammu and Kashmir.“Today, having lost credibility in Jammu and Kashmir on governance issues, this government is introducing such terminology simply to revive its image and whip up so-called sympathy, sentiments, and emotions among Kashmiris. The BJP rejects this outright. Under no circumstances will we allow a debate or admission on so-called autonomy or Article 370,” he added.Sharma challenged the government to an open debate on statehood and accused it of deliberately linking the issue with special status to delay the restoration of statehood.“You are trying to mislead Kashmir. Under the pretext of statehood, you are raising these issues simply to delay it. You know that once statehood is granted, you will face tough questions about your performance.“To hide your failures, you are deliberately prolonging statehood. Just a week ago, you met the Union home minister, and now you have orchestrated this conspiracy to delay statehood because your governance is coming under scrutiny,” he said.
Share your thoughts in the comments
Be respectful · TOI community guidelines
The BJP leader also questioned the Congress’ position on the resolution and asked its leadership to clarify whether it supported the government’s stand.“From Rahul Gandhi down to their state unit chief, they must clarify their position. Do they support this resolution, the pre-1953 position, and Article 370, or do they stand with the government? If they support the government, do they endorse its stance on Article 370 and the so-called autonomy resolution?” Sharma asked.Sharma said the BJP would continue its protest until the government and Congress provide clear answers on the issue.