Omar brings J&K statehood resolution to assembly, autonomy mention sparks BJP furore | India News
SRINAGAR: Chief minister Omar Abdullah brought Friday an assembly resolution seeking restoration of full statehood for J&K, but an autonomy reference ignited a BJP backlash, with its members ripping up copies amid anti-national chants directed at the governing National Conference (NC).The contentious reference came as the document cited an autonomy resolution passed by the assembly in June 2000 when J&K was a state.For nearly two years, Omar has called on the Centre to restore statehood. Soon after taking office, his cabinet passed a resolution to this effect. NC legislators argued that the Centre’s lack of movement forced the party to bring the resolution to the assembly.Omar echoed the sentiment, saying it seems the cabinet was not seen as the sole voice of the people by the Centre, while the legislature represents a broader political spectrum as it includes parties outside govt. “Statehood is not about govt or my family. It is about J&K. That is why we brought it to the House so that a united voice can go to the Centre,” the CM said.As BJP legislators shouted slogans and tore copies, members of NC ally Congress supported the resolution and confronted rivals. CPM, Peoples Conference and PDP also backed the resolution.Leader of opposition, BJP’s Sunil Sharma, accused Omar of trying to “smuggle in” the 2000 autonomy move dressed up as a “statehood restoration resolution”. He recalled that then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s govt had rejected the 2000 resolution and asserted that BJP will not tolerate its revival now. Angered by this, some NC legislators displayed banners reading “we want autonomy of J&K be restored.” Others called for restoration of Article 370.Omar argued that statehood was a promise made by the Centre and reaffirmed by PM Narendra Modi at an event where Sharma was present. “Delimitation was carried out. Elections were held (in 2024). People voted without any coercion. But the third step of the promise, restoration of statehood, was not fulfilled,” Omar said, citing assurances given by the Centre in Parliament and Supreme Court.
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Explaining the reference to previous resolutions, the CM said the aim was to convey that the House continued to stand by all past decisions. “Our friends shouldn’t say that we have given up on them. Those resolutions remain in place. This resolution neither replaces nor ignores them. It is an addition to them,” the CM said. The expression “friends” was seen as an allusion to PDP.Speaking to reporters later, Omar rejected BJP’s charges and asked “how demanding statehood can be anti-national”. The CM has been under pressure for several months now, accused by rivals of dropping demands to restore Article 370 and demanding statehood only. Friday’s resolution is not for autonomy, but NC hopes its mention in the document will help it fend off the charges.
