Drama Unfolds in J&K’s New Assembly: Article 370 Sparks Fiery Debates and Political Taunts

Srinagar,04Nov: The newly-formed Jammu and Kashmir Assembly convened for the first time amidst fervent discussions, taunts, and heated exchanges, highlighting the region’s ongoing debates over its political status. Sparks flew within the first hour as People’s Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Waheed Para introduced a resolution opposing the abrogation of Article 370, calling for the restoration of J&K’s special status. The resolution led to a ruckus as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs vehemently opposed Para’s remarks, demanding they be struck from the record and accusing him of procedural violations.

Adding to the tense atmosphere, Sajjad Lone, leader of the People’s Conference, took a jab at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, remarking on Abdullah’s recent gesture of gifting Kashmiri shawls to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah during his Delhi visit. The taunt appeared to underscore political divisions and differences in approach to central government relations.

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti applauded Waheed Para’s resolution on X (formerly Twitter), expressing pride in his stand against the revocation of Article 370 and calling for a restored special status for J&K.

‘Only for the Cameras’: Omar Abdullah Criticizes Article 370 Resolution

In response, Omar Abdullah dismissed the resolution as a “performative” move. He argued that it held no true weight, asserting it was presented solely for public spectacle without necessary consultation among parties. Abdullah insisted that if there had been genuine intent behind the resolution, prior discussions would have occurred. He reiterated his belief that the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, remains widely disapproved by the people of J&K, implying that genuine consensus would shape future discussions in the Assembly.

Lieutenant Governor’s Address and Call for Statehood Restoration

The Assembly session was short-lived, adjourning within an hour, and resumed later for an address by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. Reflecting on the high voter turnout in the recent Assembly election, Sinha expressed satisfaction with the electoral process, suggesting that it illustrated the voters’ trust in the democratic framework. Emphasizing a hopeful outlook, he assured the Assembly of his commitment to statehood restoration, a top priority for many in the region.