SRINAGAR, Sep 25: Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday moved a resolution in the Legislative Assembly seeking the restoration of full statehood to the Union Territory, triggering a sharp exchange between ruling National Conference members and BJP legislators.
The resolution calls upon the Government of India to restore full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and proposes forwarding the demand to the Centre. It also refers to resolutions passed by the Assembly on June 26, 2000, and November 6, 2024.
While moving the resolution, Omar Abdullah referred to earlier assurances regarding restoration of statehood following delimitation and Assembly elections, arguing that the restoration of statehood remains the pending step.
The mention of the 2000 autonomy resolution, however, became the main point of contention in the House. BJP legislators objected to its inclusion and raised questions over bringing the earlier autonomy resolution into the current discussion.
The BJP members raised slogans and protested in the Assembly, leading to disruptions in the proceedings. National Conference legislators defended the resolution and maintained that the party would continue to pursue issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir.
The 2000 resolution had sought greater autonomy for the erstwhile state and was subsequently discussed in Parliament.
The National Conference had also included implementation of the 2000 autonomy resolution among its commitments in its 2024 Assembly election manifesto, alongside demands related to statehood and other issues.
The latest developments come amid an ongoing political debate in Jammu and Kashmir over the restoration of statehood, with the issue featuring prominently during the current Assembly session.
