SRINAGAR, Sept 28: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Sunil Sharma on Monday strongly opposed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s resolution seeking restoration of statehood, calling it a “violation” of the Constitution and saying the BJP would not allow it to be passed in its present form.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the Assembly proceedings, Sharma said the BJP supported restoration of J&K’s statehood but objected to references to the 2000 autonomy resolution and Article 370 in the current resolution. He alleged that the National Conference was attempting to bring back issues related to pre-1953 status and special status.
Sharma said references to “double flag” and “double constitution” amounted to an insult to the Constitution and questioned why such issues were being raised again.
Referring to his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Sharma claimed that they discussed attempts by the ruling party in J&K to revive what he described as “old slogans” concerning pre-1953 status and Article 370.
“Do you still want to push Jammu and Kashmir 70 to 80 years backward? Back to where there was bloodshed, where so many people lost their lives?” he asked.
Sharma also referred to the BJP-led Centre’s rejection of the autonomy resolution in 2000, questioning why the issue was being recalled now. He alleged that the ruling party was raising such matters while people were seeking basic facilities such as water, electricity and roads.
The BJP leader said statehood remained a commitment of the Government of India and asserted that his party was ready for a debate on restoration of statehood, but would oppose references to Article 370 and autonomy.
“How can you talk about a dual flag here? How can you talk about a dual Constitution here? Not under any circumstances,” Sharma said, describing such references as contrary to the Constitution.
He also questioned why the Constitution of India should not apply uniformly in J&K and alleged that the government’s position could revive the “Two-Nation Theory”.
On Congress protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh KumarSharma questioned the party’s basis for criticising the Election Commission and alleged that Congress was acting out of political frustration.
The resolution moved by Omar Abdullah on September 25 seeks the “immediate and urgent” restoration of full statehood to J&K and refers to earlier Assembly resolutions passed in 2000 and 2024.