Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Oct 18: Government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today came under strong criticism from various political parties after its Cabinet passed a resolution for the restoration of Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and ignoring Articles 370 and 35A.
Speaking to reporters, Member Legislative Assembly (MLA) Pulwama and People’s Democratic Party’s youth leader, Waheed Ur Rehman Parra, said that the first resolution of the Government was supposed to reject and condemn the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35-A, as promised.
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“We learned about it through the newspapers; it is unfortunate and represents a U-turn, normalizing the decision made on August 5, 2019,” Parra said.
“What happened on August 5, 2019, was against the wishes of the people of J&K. Omar had promised that the first resolution would oppose the abrogation of Article 370,” he added.
The PDP leader further pointed out that during the elections, Omar talked extensively about Article 370, reiterating that the first resolution would be against its abrogation.
“Statehood has even been promised by the Prime Minister and Home Minister; it is also a demand of the BJP. But what the people of Kashmir seek is the restoration of Article 370 and the special status,” Parra emphasized.
Meanwhile, Sajad Gani Lone also reacted sharply to the Cabinet’s Statehood resolution, stressing that the will of the people of J&K is represented by the Assembly, not the Cabinet.
“I wonder why a resolution on Statehood passed by the Cabinet is shrouded in mystery and secrecy… I hope the CS of J&K has notified it, as per protocol. Humbly, I state that the will of the people of J&K is reflected in the Assembly, not in the Cabinet,” he wrote on ‘X’.
He stated that the Cabinet is a “majoritarian” institution of governance and does not represent all shades of opinion, as per the will of the people of J&K.
“All across the country, to the best of my knowledge, the Assembly is the proper institution for addressing major issues like Statehood or Article 370.”
Sajad also noted that when the NC Government passed a resolution on autonomy, it was done in the Assembly, not through a Cabinet resolution.
“What has changed now? I fail to understand why this resolution wasn’t reserved for the Assembly. Why are we so eager to trivialize everything?”
He further stated that he would have liked to see how the BJP and other parties would vote on the Statehood and Article 370 resolutions when presented in the Assembly.
Quoting from the NC’s manifesto for the 2024 Assembly elections, Sajad said: “The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, in its first list of business after the elections, will pass a resolution against the Centre’s decision to strip the region of its Statehood and special status.”
“The last paragraph says it all. We are not demanding or expecting anything extraordinary. Just do what you promised the people of J&K in your manifesto,” he stated.
Baramulla MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh alias Engineer Rashid told a press conference that the resolution passed by the Government seeking restoration of Statehood only and not Article 370 is “very painful” and a “departure” from the principled stand of the National Conference (NC).
“We want to remind Omar that you contested the election on Articles 370 and 35A and Statehood. So, these reports that only a resolution on Statehood has been passed is very painful. It means a departure from the principled stand of his party,” he said.
He said the Resolution on Statehood only makes it clear that Omar is playing into the hands of the BJP.
“The Prime Minister and Home Minister have promised the restoration of Statehood a number of times. So why is Omar seeking the same thing? Why is he seeking what the BJP is already ready to give?” he asked
“It means he is not ready to talk about (Articles) 370 and 35A. It is just an eyewash and he is deviating from the agenda on which he contested the elections,” Rashid added.
The Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) chief said it seems something is going on between the NC and the BJP. “They are playing hide-and-seek. The Centre has to restore Statehood according to the directions of the Supreme Court”.
“Omar just wants to be counted in martyrs, he wants to run away from the other main issues… This is like the betrayal done by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah when he became the Chief Minister from being the Prime Minister before,” he added.
Rashid said it meant the Chief Minister was very happy to take oath, when he should have been serious that day. “I am not attacking him on this. This is his personal thing and he is at a liberty to do what he wants. But, since he is a Chief Minister, we have to observe these things”.
“This means he is not bothered about the real issues. It seems he is trying to justify his friendship with the BJP like he praised the PM and HM,” he added.
“We want the Centre to support the JK Government on administrative and developmental issues. But it does not mean that Omar has to leave his stand,” he added.
“He is looking for an excuse to build up his relationship with Modi and the BJP Government. Omar should clarify if the BJP remains in power for 100 years, should Kashmiris wait for 100 years to ask for their rights”.
“I am not talking about seeking their rights, the political struggle. But if we cannot even talk about it, then it is unfortunate,” he added.
Rashid also asked the Government to restore the practice of Darbar Move, the bi-annual practice of shifting the seat of power for six months in winters to Jammu and in summers to Srinagar.
“He should tell the people which city is the capital of the UT — whether it is Srinagar or Jammu? Where will his Government sit? We want the tradition of the Darbar Move to continue. It is a bonding between the two regions,” he said.
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