‘No Room for Pakistani Agenda in J&K’: LoP Sunil Sharma Slams Statehood Resolution, Moves Motion to Remove Speaker
The BJP reaffirms its steadfast commitment to full statehood but categorically rejects references to the 2000 Autonomy and 2024 Special Status resolutions, calling them constitutional violations.
Leader of the Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sunil Kumar Sharma, on Monday came down heavily on the ruling coalition, asserting in unambiguous terms that there is “no place for any Pakistani agenda” in Jammu and Kashmir and reaffirming that the Union Territory is and will forever remain an integral part of the Republic of India.
Addressing a press conference following the BJP’s walkout from the Assembly, Sharma clarified that while the Bharatiya Janata Party remains fully committed to the restoration of statehood, it will not be a party to covert attempts aimed at reviving defunct constitutional mechanisms or pre-1953 arrangements under the cover of a statehood demand.
Sharma raised vehement objections against the text of the resolution moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, pointing out that by citing the 2000 Autonomy Resolution and the 2024 Special Status Resolution, the treasury benches had weaponized the motion to smuggle in unconstitutional narratives.
Core Arguments Raised by LoP Sunil Sharma
- Support for Standalone Statehood: The BJP confirms full backing for statehood, but firmly rejects bundled historical resolutions.
- Pre-1953 Narrative Opposed: Calls out references to the 2000 and 2024 resolutions as attempts to circumvent the Indian Constitution.
- Congress Put in the Dock: Questions whether the Congress party endorses rolling back the clock to pre-1953 autonomy.
- Removal Motion Against Speaker: Confirms submission of a formal motion seeking Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather’s immediate removal.
- UT-Wide Protests: Announces mass agitation across Jammu and Kashmir against the resolution.
Directing his offensive against the Congress party, the Leader of Opposition demanded absolute clarity on its stand regarding national integration, alleging that the party had completely unmasked itself on the floor of the House.
Sharma cautioned both the National Conference and the Congress against stoking sensitive fault lines that could destabilize the hard-earned peace in the region. He noted that Jammu and Kashmir is a sensitive border territory where hostile neighbors are constantly looking for opportunities to exploit political ambiguity and disturb normalcy.
Describing the ground situation across the region as calm and peaceful, Sharma stated that the restoration of statehood remains the sole pending administrative milestone—one that the Central Government has already pledged to fulfill in due course.
Hitting out at Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over setting arbitrary deadlines for the Centre, the LoP questioned the legal and political standing of such demands: “Who is the Chief Minister to dictate a timeline? Statehood will be granted, and the Centre is committed to it. Crucial constitutional decisions of national significance cannot be finalized under hasty ultimatums.”
Taking the battle straight to the presiding officer of the House, Sharma severely rebuked Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather for admitting the contentious motion despite sharp objections from the opposition benches. He disclosed that the BJP legislative party has submitted a formal motion seeking the Speaker’s immediate removal from office, stating that Rather had compromised his neutrality.
Wrapping up the briefing, the Leader of the Opposition announced that the BJP will not take the issue lying down and will spearhead massive protest demonstrations across all districts of Jammu and Kashmir to register its outright rejection of any back channel bids to revive the pre-1953 constitutional order.