SRINAGAR, Sept 28: BJP members on Monday staged a protest inside the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly over a resolution seeking restoration of statehood, objecting particularly to references to the pre-1953 constitutional position and the Assembly’s 2000 autonomy resolution.
Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma said the BJP was willing to participate in a constructive discussion on the restoration of statehood, but opposed references that, in its view, went beyond the issue of statehood.
Speaking in the House, Sharma said differences between the treasury and opposition benches should not prevent a meaningful discussion on matters concerning Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the opposition did not have to oppose every issue raised by the government and that the BJP was prepared for a positive debate, particularly on statehood.
However, Sharma objected to references concerning the constitutional position that existed before 1953. He also questioned the inclusion of the Assembly’s 2000 autonomy resolution in the present statehood resolution.
The 2000 resolution, passed during the Farooq Abdullah government, had sought restoration of greater autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir based on the constitutional position before August 9, 1953.
The BJP has maintained that it supports restoration of full statehood but opposes linking the issue with the 2000 autonomy resolution or Article 370-related matters.
The objections led to protests and sharp exchanges between BJP members and the ruling benches as the House debated the statehood resolution.
