Srinagar, Apr 17: National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Friday questioned the rationale behind bringing the Constitution amendment bill, saying the NDA government did not have the two-thirds majority needed to pass it.
“First, they withdrew the bill. Why did they do it? Because there were apprehensions among the people. They (the government) were sure that a two-thirds majority would not come. Then what did they do? They thought one more night and then brought the same old bill that was passed in 2023,” Abdullah told reporters at Hazratbal here.
The former Union minister said the government then sent the bill to the Parliament Secretariat to see if it needed a simple majority to pass.
“However, it’s a Constitutional amendment bill, and a two-thirds majority is necessary for it. They (the government) do not have it. Now, what will they do next, only God knows. But the truth is that there is an apprehension among the people that this is wrong. This method is wrong. May God grant them wisdom so that they listen to the people,” he added.
Asked about provisions for enhancement of seats reserved for Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the former J-K chief minister said the government’s delimitation exercise in Jammu and Kashmir in 2023 was also wrong.
“You saw the delimitation here. How wrongfully they did it. Now people are also worried about what their purpose is. That is the point,” he said.
Responding to a question about Pakistan’s mediation in Iran and the US-Israel conflict, Abdullah said it was not a new thing and has been acknowledged by US President Donald Trump.
“It (Pakistan) is already doing that. It is not a new thing. We have heard President Trump’s statement that if there is an agreement between both sides, I think he himself is coming to sign the agreement. May God make it happen so that peace is established, because the whole world is caught in this trouble,” he said.
The NC chief also wished success to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the assembly polls underway in the state.
“Inshallah, Mamata will win. Our prayers are with them,” he said.
