Mubashir Aalam Wani
Srinagar, Mar 1: The stage is set for a stormy budget session of the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly starting on March 3 as issues like Article 370, reservation, human rights, and election commitments made by the National Conference in its election manifesto are expected to take center stage. Ahead of the session, all major political parties are holding separate meetings of their legislature parties in the winter capital, Jammu, tomorrow to chalk out their strategies for the session.
The divided opposition, comprising the BJP and Kashmir-based parties, is set to take on the ruling National Conference-led alliance over a gamut of issues. While the 28-member BJP plans to corner the government on commitments made by the National Conference in its election manifesto, ranging from free electricity to free ration, the Kashmir-based parties, including the PDP and Peoples Conference, will question the government on issues like Article 370 and the alcohol ban.
Both the PC and PDP have already set the tone for a stormy session by bringing resolutions and bills on Article 370 and alcohol. The BJP has indicated that it would oppose any move to raise issues like Article 370 in the House. Sunil Sharma, leader of the opposition in the J&K Assembly, told the Speaker during an all-party meeting held in Jammu on February 27 that they wouldn’t permit any unconstitutional and anti-national resolution, question, or bill in the House.
As earlier reported, the National Conference and Congress are holding separate legislature party meetings in Jammu tomorrow to devise their strategy for the session. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will chair the NC meeting at his official residence on Wazarat Road, while Tariq Hamid Karra will preside over the Congress meeting at party headquarters in Jammu. The BJP is also expected to hold its legislature party meeting in Jammu on March 2 or 3.
