Srinagar, Sep 28, KNT: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma on Monday said the BJP fully supports restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir but opposed the inclusion of references to Article 370 and the 2000 autonomy resolution in the statehood debate.
Talking to reporters outside the Assembly, Sharma said the National Conference government was now seeking to discuss the pre-1953 constitutional position, a separate flag, a separate Constitution and Article 370 while dealing with the statehood resolution.
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Referring to the abrogation of Article 370 and the Supreme Court’s judgment on the matter, Sharma questioned the Assembly’s authority to reopen the issue.
“Is this Assembly bigger than the Supreme Court and the Parliament?” Sharma asked.
Sharma said the BJP’s position on restoration of statehood was clear and that the party had consistently supported the demand.
His remarks came as the Assembly resumed discussion on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s resolution seeking immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
The resolution refers to the Assembly’s June 26, 2000, autonomy resolution and the November 6, 2024, resolution, while ten amendments submitted by legislators seek, among other changes, explicit references to Articles 370 and 35A and the constitutional position existing before August 5, 2019.
The inclusion of the 2000 resolution has been a major point of contention between the BJP and the ruling benches during the ongoing proceedings. [KNT]
