Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly on Monday passed a resolution seeking restoration of statehood amid protests and a walkout by BJP legislators. Asserting that statehood was the right of the J&K people and not a charity or favour from the Centre, chief minister Omar Abdullah highlighted governance challenges, stating that officials were not under his government’s control and that even law and chief secretaries wrote to the speaker against the statehood resolution.
“Two years have passed since elections. The Supreme Court has said in the Article 370 judgment that statehood be restored as soon as possible after elections.
Which dictionary says ‘as soon as possible’ means two years?” he asked.
Amid sloganeering and protests in the well of the House, BJP legislators walked out as the resolution was put to vote.
Referring to the cabinet sub-committee’s report on reservation, Omar said the cabinet had approved it and sent it to the lieutenant governor, who forwarded it to the Centre. “After responding to the central government queries, there has been no forward movement,” he said. He also said the chief minister had no role in universities where he was earlier ex-officio pro-chancellor. LG is the chancellor and CM is put outside the decision-making process,” he said. “We want to bring statehood, but the language used in this resolution is unacceptable… This is unconstitutional to talk about the so-called autonomy or pre-1953 scenario that has already been rejected by Parliament,” leader of opposition Sunil Sharma said.
“Today, there is no role of the CM.
“The chief secretary also wrote a letter. Would you ask them on whose directions these letters were written? “Imagine it happening in a state where the CM introduces a resolution and the law secretary gives an opinion against it. “Name any other state or a UT where an advocate general has not been appointed for two years.
The resolution was passed by voice vote after some NC and opposition members moved amendments seeking restoration of greater autonomy and Articles 370 and 35A.
The amendments were withdrawn after Omar said they would give the BJP a pretext to oppose the resolution. I am the law minister and this opinion has reached you without me knowing,” he said. This can happen only in a UT,” he said. Despite sending a name, the proposal is still pending,” he said.
