Srinagar, Sep 25: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said there was “nothing anti-national” in seeking restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir saying the demand was also in the BharatiyaJanata Party (BJP)’s election manifesto.
Addressing media persons in the Assembly complex soon after moving a resolution in the Legislative Assembly seeking immediate and full restoration of statehood, CM Omar challenged BJP legislators to debate the resolution and make their position clear through a vote.
“Today, we are only asking BJP for a vote on statehood. And they are not ready to vote on statehood,” he said.
The CM accused the BJP of creating disruptions to avoid voting on the resolution.
He said nearly two years had passed since the Assembly elections and the promise of restoring statehood was not yet fulfilled.
“The resolution is intended to convey the voice of the elected Assembly to the Government of India and urge it to restore the full status of Jammu and Kashmir,” CM Omar said.
The resolution moved by the CM calls upon the Centre for the “immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood” to J&K and provides for forwarding it to the Government of India.
On BJP allegations that the resolution was “anti-national”, CM Omar asked, “When has asking for statehood become anti-national? What is anti-national in this?”
He said the resolution was not seeking a fresh vote on Article 370, special status, or autonomy, saying that the Assembly had already passed resolutions on those issues.
“We are talking about statehood. The statehood resolution will not dilute the old resolutions,” the CM said, adding that if the BJP wanted to replace or remove earlier resolutions, it should bring its own resolution before the House and seek a vote.
He asked the BJP to debate in House to remove previous resolutions.
“If they get votes, who am I to object,” CM Omar said.
The reference to the Assembly’s June 26, 2000, autonomy resolution in the new statehood resolution had triggered strong objections from BJP members, who disrupted proceedings and opposed any discussion on autonomy.
Responding to BJP leader Shamlal Sharma’s demand for an account of the government’s functioning, CM Omar said he was ready to face a discussion on the performance of his government over the past two years.
“I am ready. You can bring a discussion on Monday. We will tell you everything about our activities for the past two years in the House. We will tell you about the problems and difficulties that we faced,” he said.
However, the CM said that the government’s performance had nothing to do with the statehood resolution.
“If the Leader of Opposition (LOP) wants to bring down the government, then let him bring it down. If there is so much pressure, then do it. What does our resolution have to do with this?” he said.
CM Omar accused the BJP and the LOP of opposing restoration of statehood and said the developments in the Assembly had exposed their position.
He urged BJP legislators not to abstain, walk out, or create noise when the resolution comes up for discussion and voting.
“Debate. Say what you want to say. We will answer. After that, vote for or against statehood. Do not abstain. Do not walk out. Do not make noise,” the CM said.
“If you are in favour of statehood, then say yes. If you are against statehood, then say no. People will know,” he said.
CM Omar said statehood was not an issue concerning his government, family, or any individual political party, but concerned the entire region.
“Statehood is not about the government, family, about a political party, or an individual, but it is the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
The CM said the Assembly, unlike the Cabinet, represented the entire spectrum of political opinion in J&K and the House was the appropriate forum to send a united message to the Centre.
“The only thing that remains to be seen is whether the BJP is part of the voice of the people of J&K. That will be seen when the discussion starts in the House,” he said.
The Assembly witnessed uproar after the resolution was moved, with BJP legislators protesting over the reference to the earlier autonomy resolution.
The disruption led to heated exchanges between the treasury and opposition benches.
