GG News Bureau
Srinagar, 4th Nov. The newly elected Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed chaos on Monday morning as it convened for the first time in six years. The disruption came after People’s Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker Wahid Parra tabled a resolution opposing the revocation of Article 370, which granted special status to the region until its abrogation in August 2019.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmakers opposed Parra’s resolution, while Speaker Rahim Rather of the ruling National Conference stated that he had not yet admitted any such motion. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who previously remarked that it would be “foolish” to expect the BJP to restore Article 370, acknowledged the impending resolution and emphasized, “The reality is that the people of J&K do not approve of the decision taken on August 5, 2019. If they had approved, then the results today would have been different.”
The assembly session marked a historic moment, as it was the first sitting since the last elections a decade ago, following the collapse of the PDP-BJP government and the imposition of President’s Rule. Abdullah noted that the BJP-led central government’s decision to revoke Article 370 five years ago sparked significant political unrest, and the move remains a contentious issue in Jammu and Kashmir politics.
During the assembly proceedings, Abdullah stated, “How the House will reflect and discuss this will not be decided by any one member. The resolution brought today has no importance but is only for the cameras.” He called for a constructive relationship with the central government to foster development in the region.
The BJP’s revocation of Article 370 has been a pivotal topic in the recent elections, which saw the National Conference (NC) and Congress alliance emerge victorious. The NC won 42 of the 90 elected seats and secured support from four independent lawmakers and a representative from the Aam Aadmi Party to reach a majority.
In the aftermath of the election results, Abdullah reiterated the NC’s commitment to advocate for the restoration of Article 370, while simultaneously urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fulfill his promise of reinstating Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. “The PM is an honorable man,” Abdullah stated, expressing hope that Modi would uphold his word regarding statehood.
In a notable move, the new J&K Cabinet passed a resolution advocating for the restoration of statehood on October 18. This resolution underscored the government’s commitment to protecting the identity and constitutional rights of the people of the former state, which were enshrined under Article 370.
Recently, Abdullah met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the path toward statehood, with sources indicating Shah’s support for re-establishing Jammu and Kashmir as a state. Abdullah emphasized that maintaining a cooperative relationship with the central government is crucial for the region’s development, especially given its complex security situation and geographical proximity to borders.
As the assembly convenes, the discussions surrounding Article 370 and statehood remain at the forefront, reflecting the ongoing political dynamics in Jammu and Kashmir.
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