• Rejects discussion on Article 370, autonomy
• Questions reference to 2000 Assembly resolution
• Seeks clarity from Congress on its position
Srinagar|Sept, 25: Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma on Friday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was ready to participate in a debate on restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir but would oppose the inclusion of Article 370 and the 2000 autonomy resolution in the discussion.
Speaking to reporters after the stormy proceedings in the Legislative Assembly, Sharma questioned the reference to the autonomy resolution in the statehood resolution moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
“Today’s resolution moved by the Chief Minister is controversial and disputed. The BJP had rejected the autonomy resolution. Why is that resolution being discussed again in today’s resolution?” Sharma asked.
He said the BJP’s objection was not to a discussion on statehood but to bringing the earlier autonomy resolution into the debate.
“The BJP is prepared for a discussion on statehood but will oppose bringing Article 370 and autonomy into the debate. If you want to debate statehood, we are ready to debate,” Sharma said.
Sharma also sought clarity from the Congress party on its position on Article 370, the autonomy resolution and the present statehood resolution.
“Congress should clear its position—from Rahul Gandhi to the State Chief of Congress. Is it with this resolution? Is it with the pre-1953 resolution? Is it with the resolution of 370?” he asked.
The Leader of Opposition also questioned Omar Abdullah’s position on the 2000 autonomy resolution, recalling that Omar had served as a minister in the NDA government headed by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee when the autonomy resolution was rejected.
“When the BJP rejected and tore up this resolution, wasn’t Omar Abdullah a minister in the NDA at that time? Didn’t he continue as a partner of the NDA?” Sharma asked.
Sharma also alleged that the government was using the statehood issue to divert attention from governance-related concerns.
He reiterated that the BJP was willing to discuss the restoration of statehood but would not agree to what he described as an attempt to bring Article 370 or the autonomy issue into the discussion.
The remarks came after BJP members protested in the Assembly when Omar Abdullah moved the resolution seeking restoration of full statehood, with the reference to the 2000 autonomy resolution emerging as the principal point of contention.
The proceedings subsequently descended into uproar, with BJP legislators entering the Well, raising slogans and tearing copies of the resolution. The House was later adjourned amid the continued disruption.
