If govt has no authority, CM should dissolve Assembly: LoP

Anantnag, Sep 17: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and BJP leader Sunil Sharma on Thursday said that if the government has no authority to take decisions, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah should dissolve the Assembly.
Speaking to reporters, Sharma said, if the government has no authority and is only taking salaries, it would be better for Omar Abdullah to take a decision and dissolve the Assembly so that everyone can sit peacefully.
He said fresh elections would be required after statehood is restored, as the current constitutional arrangement is that of a Union Territory.
“Whenever statehood is restored, there will be new elections in the state. If statehood comes today, elections will have to be held because the new constitutional arrangement will be that of a state. The elections held under the present arrangement were for a Union Territory,” he said.
“If we have to wait for elections, what has Omar Abdullah come for till then? Has he come to enjoy? Have they come to live like kings? Have they come to exercise badshahi? Why is he deceiving the people?” Sharma said.
On Article 370, Sharma said the decision was taken by Parliament and not by the BJP alone. “The day the National Conference takes 275 seats to Parliament, tell them to speak about it,” he said.
Sharma said the BJP would continue to play the role of the Opposition and raise people’s concerns. “As the Opposition, it is our responsibility to become the voice of the people because the government is not listening,” he said, adding that the BJP would continue its work irrespective of whether it received votes.
He said he had not come to topple the government or seek votes. “I have not come to topple any government. I have not come to seek votes. People form governments,” he said.
Sharma also called for dialogue with protesting daily wagers working in essential departments, including the PDD, PWD and PHC, saying their demands had not been accepted.
He urged the government to initiate talks and appealed to the protesting employees to call off their strike if the government agreed to negotiate. “I would also appeal to the dailywaigers to call off their strike if the government agrees to negotiate. But at least take some initiative,” he said.
On threats issued to Kashmiri Pandits, Sharma said the community would not be intimidated by posters or threats. “Kashmir belongs to every resident, including Kashmiri Pandits. This is not the time when anyone can try to frighten people,” he said. (KNO)