• LoP says BJP backs restoration of Statehood but rejects references to 2000 and 2024 resolutions
• Announces protests across J&K, questions Congress stand on pre-1953 arrangement, Article 370 and 35A
Srinagar| Sept, 28: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Sunil Kumar Sharma on Monday said the BJP was committed to restoration of Statehood but asserted that the process could not be dictated by a timeline set by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
“Who is the CM to set a timeline? Statehood will be given and we are committed to it. Discussions should not be taken in a hurry,” Sharma told reporters after the Assembly passed a resolution seeking immediate and urgent restoration of full Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Sharma said the BJP would support a resolution confined exclusively to the restoration of Statehood but opposed references to the Assembly’s 2000 autonomy resolution and 2024 special-status resolution incorporated into the resolution moved by Omar Abdullah.
“If the CM brings only a Statehood resolution, we will support it. Statehood is the agenda of the BJP and we are committed to it. It will come,” he said.
Objecting to the references to the earlier resolutions, Sharma said these brought issues concerning the erstwhile constitutional arrangement of Jammu and Kashmir into a resolution on Statehood.
“The resolution was moved by the CM. If it was only for Statehood, we would have taken part. But the references to 2000 and 2024 violate the Constitution,” he said.
Sharma also questioned the Congress over its support for the resolution and sought clarity on whether the party supported restoration of the pre-1953 constitutional position and provisions associated with Articles 370 and 35A.
“Congress got exposed today and they have to answer the country. Do they want the pre-1953 situation, Article 370 and 35A? They should answer and their leaders should be held accountable,” he said.
The LoP said Jammu and Kashmir was an integral part of India and asserted that there was “no room for any Pakistan agenda” in the Union Territory.
“J&K is an integral part of India, and it will always remain. There is no room for any Pakistan agenda here,” Sharma said.
He said Jammu and Kashmir was a sensitive region and alleged that neighbouring forces could attempt to exploit internal political issues.
“It is not like the opposition will oppose everything. J&K is a sensitive state and we have neighbours who always try to take advantage of things and disturb peace,” he said.
Sharma said the BJP supported the demand for restoration of Statehood, describing it as the party’s agenda.
“Today the situation is peaceful and only Statehood is missing. BJP is in support of the Statehood demand of the government,” he said.
He also criticised Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather for allowing the resolution to be taken up despite objections from the BJP.
Sharma said the BJP had moved a motion seeking the Speaker’s removal.
“We moved a motion for the immediate removal of the Speaker. He has no right to be there,” he said.
The Leader of Opposition said the Assembly should focus on public welfare, development and issues concerning the people instead of reopening what he described as settled constitutional questions.
“If the resolution is about Statehood, then it should remain about Statehood. Why are references to the 2000 resolution and the pre-1953 constitutional position being brought into it? These are separate issues,” Sharma said.
He also referred to the political developments following the 1975 Sheikh-Indira Accord while opposing attempts to revive the pre-1953 constitutional arrangement.
Sharma announced that the BJP would launch protests across Jammu and Kashmir.
