Rejects discussion on Article 370, autonomy
Srinagar, Sep 25: Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Sharma on Friday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is ready to debate the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir but will oppose any discussion on Article 370 or the autonomy resolution.
Addressing reporters, Sharma, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), questioned the reference to the autonomy resolution in the Chief Minister’s move. “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 further urged the Congress party to clarify its position on Article 370, the autonomy resolution, and the government.
“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 LoP also questioned the Chief Minister’s stance, recalling that he was 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.
He alleged that the government was using the statehood issue to divert attention from governance-related concerns.
“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. (KNO)
