Dy CM moves resolution, Sakina seconds motion; LoP Sharma, BJP leaders oppose, Two Independent MLAs, PDP Legislators, Sajad Lone support resolution; House adjourned for 15 minutes
SRINAGAR: The third day of J&K Assembly witnessed uproar after the deputy chief Minister Surinder Choudhary moved a resolution seeking restoration of Article 370 which was passed with majority vote in the Assembly.
The move was strongly opposed by the Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma questioning the government move stating that when business was discussion on Lieutenant Governor’s address, how come resolution was moved.
Soon after the Assembly met, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on behalf of the government, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), moved a resolution that read: “This Assembly reaffirms the importance of the special and constitutional guarantees, which safeguarded the identity, culture and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and expresses concern over the unilateral removal.”
The resolution further read that, “This assembly calls upon the Government of India to initiate dialogue with elected representatives of people of J&K for restoration of special status, constitutional guarantees and to work out the constitutional mechanisms for restoring these provisions.”
It also read that this Assembly emphasises that any process for restoration must safeguard both national unity and the legitimate aspirations of the people of J&K. The motion was seconded by senior NC leader and Health Minister Sakina Itoo.
The move evoked sharp criticism from the BJP leader and LoP Sunil Sharma and other BJP leaders who questioned change in the business. “When business was about discussion on LG’s address, how resolution,” he said. Independent MLAs Sheikh Khursheed and Shabir Kullay, PC chief Sajad Lone supported the resolution besides three PDP legislators.
The Speaker Abdur Rahim Rather put the resolution to vote which was passed with the majority. The BJP continued the protests in the house forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House for 15 minutes. On August 5, 2019, Centre had rolled back the J&K special status and sliced the erstwhile state into two UTs—J&K and Ladakh. NC in its manifesto had promised to fight for the restoration of Statehood and special status.