Daijiworld Media Network - Srinagar

Srinagar, Sep 28: The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly is set for a stormy session on Monday as the House is scheduled to discuss Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s resolution seeking the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, with the resolution referring to the Assembly’s earlier autonomy resolution of 2000.

The development has triggered a fresh confrontation between the ruling National Conference-led government and the BJP, which has opposed bringing issues related to autonomy and Article 370 into the proceedings.

A day after Omar introduced the resolution, Jammu and Kashmir BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Saturday and briefed him about developments in the Assembly. Sharma said the BJP was prepared to discuss restoration of statehood but would oppose any attempt to bring the 2000 autonomy resolution or Article 370 into the debate.

The BJP has indicated that it will strongly oppose the proposed discussion. Sharma said the party would not accept what it described as an attempt to link the statehood issue with autonomy and Article 370.

The controversy stems from the reference in Omar's resolution to an earlier resolution adopted by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on June 26, 2000, when Farooq Abdullah was chief minister. The House had then adopted the State Autonomy Committee report and called for steps towards restoring the pre-1953 constitutional position of Jammu and Kashmir.

The current resolution also refers to a resolution adopted by the Assembly on November 6, 2024, seeking restoration of special status and constitutional guarantees for Jammu and Kashmir.

The BJP has maintained that it is willing to debate the restoration of statehood but objects to references to autonomy and Article 370. Sharma has argued that the statehood issue should be dealt with separately.

Omar Abdullah, however, has maintained that the present resolution is focused on restoration of full statehood and does not seek a vote on Article 370 or autonomy. The reference to the earlier resolutions has become the main point of contention between the two sides.

The Assembly witnessed disruptions after the resolution was introduced, with BJP members protesting and entering the Well of the House, prompting Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to adjourn proceedings.

The Monday discussion is therefore expected to see sharp exchanges between the ruling benches and the BJP over the wording of the resolution and its references to the Assembly's earlier decisions on autonomy and special status.