NC, Congress, PDP, PC, CPI(M), AAP, independents support; BJP stages walkout
Srinagar, Sep 28: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday adopted a resolution urging the Government of India to restore full statehood to the Union Territory.
The resolution, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), was passed by voice vote, with members from different parties and independents supporting it, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged a walkout.
As Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather initiated the voting process after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah replied to the discussion, BJP legislators led by Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma walked out of the House.
The resolution secured support from the National Conference (NC), Congress, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Conference (PC), Communist Party of India (Marxist), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and independent members.
It was put to voice vote after five NC MLAs, two PDP MLAs, one Congress MLA, and two independents withdrew their amendments.
The BJP had objected to the resolution, citing its reference to the 2000 autonomy resolution and the 2024 special status resolution.
“In addition to the resolutions passed by this House on 26 June 2000 and 6 November 2024, the House calls upon the Government of India for full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and resolves that this Resolution be forwarded to the Government of India,” the resolution stated.
This is the third resolution passed by the J&K Assembly and Cabinet for the restoration of statehood and special status.
After the formation of the government in October 2024, the Cabinet had passed a resolution seeking restoration of statehood. On November 6, 2024, the J&K Assembly had passed a resolution urging the Government of India to restore special status. (KNO)
