While it supported the resolution moved by the National Conference-led government in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, the Peoples Democratic Party hit out asking why it does not explicitly reject the scrapping of the special status.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti called the resolution “half-hearted”, for not stating “that 370 should be restored”. “Instead, they have said they (NC) are concerned (about the scrapping of the special status) and have sought a dialogue (for its restoration),” Mufti said.
“Who should a dialogue be held with?” she added, pointing out that the BJP whose government is in power at the Centre had even opposed the Omar government’s resolution in the Assembly.
Mufti also questioned the government resolution underlining “national unity” when seeking measures to restore special status. “This has nothing to do with national unity. This nation is known for its diversity and this is why J&K had joined hands with India in 1947,” she said.
Mufti mentioned as contrast the resolution moved by PDP MLA Waheed Para on Monday, the first day of the Assembly Session, which not just beat the government to it but also condemned the scrapping of the special status. The resolution, which was rejected by the Speaker, said: “This House opposes the revocation of special status of J&K and the constitutional disempowerment of Jammu and Kashmir through the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019, and calls for its complete rescinding.”
Para told The Indian Express that the PDP would move an “amendment” to the Omar government’s resolution. “There was a political message in it and that has been sent, but they are begging for a ‘dialogue’ to restore special status. They have not even opposed or rejected it… We will move notice for amendment of resolution on behalf of the PDP… In point 1 (of the resolution), we want to replace ‘expresses concern’ with ‘opposes the unilateral move’.”
Other parties in the J&K Assembly too supported the Omar government’s move, with the CM saying “the Assembly has spoken and the people of J&K have spoken”.
People’s Conference president Sajad Lone said the current House is “the most potent and relevant institution”, especially with it being the first elected Assembly after Article 370’s abrogation. “Legalities apart, today’s resolution is a moral and political rejection of August 5 2019 (when the abrogation took place)… It is a good start but the will of the people of J&K in the context of August 5 needs to be expressed even more unambiguously.”
While Congress MLAs kept pointedly away from the ruckus in the Assembly on the issue, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir noted that the party has earlier spoken of the resentment of people “against the downgrading and bifurcation of erstwhile J&K state”. “It was crystal clear during the Assembly elections that people vehemently oppose the reorganisation of J&K and want their dignity and honour restored,” Mir said.
Another INDIA ally, the CPI(M)’s Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, was more generous about the resolution. “The government of India took a unilateral decision on August 5, 2019, without including the stakeholders. They took away our constitutional rights and special status. Today, this House has voted to correct that and sought restoration of a credible process of dialogue so that our special status can be restored.”
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