Srinagar:In a significant moment for Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Territory’s first-ever Legislative Assembly session began in Srinagar today with PDP MLA Waheed Para moving a resolution opposing the abrogation of Article 370 and calling for the restoration of special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
As soon as Para, who represents the Pulwama constituency, moved the resolution, there was a ruckus in the house as all 28 BJP MLAs resorted to protest and sloganeering.
Addressing the house over Para's resolution, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, "We knew that preparation for this was being made by a member...The reality is that the people of J&K do not approve of the decision taken on 5th August 2019. If they had approved, then the results today would have been different. How the House will reflect and discuss this will not be decided by any one member. The resolution brought today has no importance but it is only for the cameras. If there was a purpose behind it, then they would have discussed this with us before..."
In his address, L-G Manoj Sinha said the government will make all efforts for the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. "...My government will make all efforts for the restoration of full statehood and constitutional guarantees available to the state. It would be a reciprocation of the faith reposed by the people of J&K in our democratic institutions...," Sinha said.
Former J&K Chief Minister and PDP supremo Mehbooba Mufti meanwhile lauded her party leader Parra for introducing the resolution. "Proud of Waheed Parra for introducing resolution in JK Assembly opposing the revocation of Article 370 and resolve to restore the special status. God bless you," she said in a post on X.
To mention, even if the resolution for restoration of Article 370 is passed by the J&K legislative Assembly, it would have no bearing on the supremacy of the Indian Parliament on this issue.