Article 370, pre-1953 position can’t be linked with statehood: LoP

Srinagar, Sep 30: Asserting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) remains committed to restoration of statehood to J&K within the constitutional framework, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma on Wednesday said restoration of statehood cannot be linked with the pre-1953 position or restoration of Articles 370 and 35A.
Talking to reporters after the conclusion of the Autumn Session, the LoP Sharma, questioned the statehood resolution passed by the Assembly and criticised references to the pre-1953 position and Articles 370 and 35A.
LoP Sharma said this 7-day session was most unfortunate and historic for the wrong reasons.
Sharma said the Chief Minister is calling it a fruitful session. “Fruitful from which angle? You dashed the hopes of all sections. People were waiting for your Statehood resolution, which you chant as an answer to every question.”
“After abrogation of 370, all confusion is over and the full Constitution of India is implemented in J&K. By raking up Pre-53 again, you have prolonged and sabotaged Statehood,” Sharma said.
He reminded that when Late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah demanded a separate Constitution and separate Flag, then PM Late Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru jailed him for 22 years.
Sharma questioned Congress leadership, from Rahul Gandhi to Mallikarjun Kharge: “What is your stand on this resolution seeking Statehood with Pre-53 and 370? Do you want to divide India again and bring separatism back? By supporting this unconstitutional resolution, Congress has unmasked itself and should be ashamed. The nation is asking how can they support this.”
He also questioned Speaker Rather under which Rule he allowed such an unconstitutional resolution in the Assembly, which was declared illegal by the Law Department, and further demanded that the Speaker should step down on moral grounds for allowing such bills in the Assembly.
“The BJP is committed to statehood. However, the pre-1953 position and restoration of Articles 370 and 35A cannot be linked with the issue of statehood,” he said.
On the pre-1953 issue, the LoP said the matter should be examined by the appropriate constitutional institutions and agencies.
He said Jammu and Kashmir had an “inclusive character”, comprising people from different religious and social communities, and opposed any demand for a separate Constitution or flag.
Turning to the functioning of the government, he accused the Omar Abdullah-led administration of failing to address the concerns of various sections of society during the seven-day autumn session, alleging that the session had disappointed people waiting for action on their issues.
He said the BJP had raised issues collected from people across all district headquarters on the first day of the session, including those concerning delivery workers, contractual and daily-rated employees, NHM and NYC workers, ASHA and Anganwadi workers, GRS and technical assistants, CAMPA workers and water-testing laboratory employees.
He said the government failed to provide answers on these issues despite the BJP raising them during the session. He also questioned the government’s description of the session as “fruitful”, saying people had expected clarification on commitments and announcements made by the government.
The LoP said the party had prepared a dossier titled “Promises versus Performance”, which, he said, highlights the government’s commitments and its performance.
On healthcare, he said Jammu and Kashmir is facing a shortage of around 13,000 doctors and paramedics, saying hospitals continued to face staff shortages. He said the government had failed to adequately utilise the Public Service Commission and Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board.
He said around 3.75 lakh people still lacked tap-water connections and alleged that implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission had not progressed adequately. LoP Sharma said staff shortages in schools and hospitals at various places reflected what he termed the government’s failures.
He also raised concerns of delivery workers, NHM employees, NYCs, paramedics, ASHA and Anganwadi workers, GRS and technical assistants and CAMPA employees.
He said questions raised by ruling-party MLAs in the Assembly reflected dissatisfaction among members of the treasury benches over the functioning of the government.
On terrorism, Sharma said there had been a decline in the recruitment of local youth. “No youth from Jammu and Kashmir had taken up arms against the country during 2025 and 2026 and the participation of around 50,000 youth in a tournament in Pulwama is an indication of changing circumstances,” the LoP said.
He further said the ecosystem earlier available to foreign terrorists has weakened, while the number of foreign terrorists has declined.
On reservation, he said everyone had the constitutional right to raise their voice and demand their rights, but declined to comment further, stating that the matter was sub judice. (KNO)