Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma on Monday said there was “no room for any Pakistan agenda” in Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the Union Territory would remain an integral part of India.
Addressing reporters in Srinagar, Sharma said the BJP was committed to restoration of Statehood but opposed references to the 2000 autonomy resolution and the 2024 special-status resolution in the resolution moved by Chief Minister 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,” Sharma said.
Sharma objected to references concerning Jammu and Kashmir’s pre-1953 constitutional position, arguing that they went beyond the issue of restoring 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.
He also questioned the Congress’s position on the issue, asking whether it supported a return to the constitutional arrangement that existed before 1953, including provisions associated with Article 370 and Article 35A.
Sharma alleged that the National Conference and Congress were attempting to revive issues that, in his view, could affect peace in Jammu and Kashmir. “It is not that 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.
The LoP said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was peaceful and described restoration of Statehood as the outstanding issue. His remarks came as BJP legislators continued their protest in the Assembly over the wording of the Statehood resolution.
Sharma also criticised Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather for allowing the resolution to be taken up despite BJP objections. The BJP has moved a notice seeking the Speaker’s removal, with party MLA R.S. Pathania informing the House about the motion on Monday.
On the timeline for restoration of Statehood, Sharma said the Chief Minister could not set a deadline.
“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,” he said.
Sharma said the BJP would launch protests across Jammu and Kashmir against the resolution, particularly its references to the pre-1953 period. The Assembly subsequently passed the Statehood resolution amid protests and a walkout by BJP members.
