SRINAGAR, Nov 6: With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as an exception, all members of the J&K Legislative Assembly today welcomed the passing of a resolution by the newly elected Government seeking Constitutional guarantees, with MLA Handwara Sajad Lone stressing the need to address the “ambiguity.”
Speaking with reporters after the resolution was passed and the House was adjourned following a ruckus by the BJP members, Lone said that it is a good start and not the end.
“It is a good start, but there is a need for more additions. I am satisfied, but there is a need to remove the ambiguity. It is a perfect start, not an end,” he said.
He noted that it is going to be a “tough journey” to get back whatever has been “taken away from us.”
On the protest staged by the BJP members, Lone said that it will not make any difference. “What will happen from their protest? Whatever had to happen has already happened.”
Cabinet Minister Sakeena Itoo said that the resolution was passed with a majority and let the BJP members protest.
“Let them; we have the resolution. They do not know how to work in the Assembly and are not aware of Rules; sitting on tables is not the way,” she said.
BJP member Sham Lal Sharma, while protesting, said that his party has secured the highest vote share during the Assembly elections.
MLA Uri, Dr Sajjad Shafi, while speaking with Excelsior, termed the passing of the resolution as a “historic move.” “We had promised it to the people during elections. This is the aspiration of the people of J&K.”
He added that, just as the Statehood resolution was submitted to the Government, the resolution passed today will also be submitted to the Government of India. “It is the resolution passed by the real representatives of J&K, seeking constitutional guarantees,” he said.
MLA Udhampur-East, Ranbir Singh Pathania, while speaking with Excelsior, alleged that NC has been the biggest enemy of democracy.
“We did not have the resolution, which was brought in and passed in a hush-hush manner. It is a murder of democracy,” he said.
He added that there is a decision of Parliament and a judgment from the Supreme Court on the matter, and there is no legal provision under which they can pass this resolution.
“The Speaker has deceived the people. They have got nothing to show or promise in the Governor’s address. Article 370 is history now, which both the CM and the people of J&K know.”
MLA Wagoora-Kreeri, Irfan Hafiz, said, “The BJP has created history by turning a State into a Union Territory. They have violated the constitution and divided the State into two Union Territories.”
Congress Chief Whip in the House and MLA Bandipora, Nizamudin Bhat, said that the session went “awry due to the unruly behavior of the BJP.”
“We take exception to their behaviour today in the Assembly. Once the resolution was moved, it was not yet admitted, and they rose, causing pandemonium and undermining the sanctity of the House,” he said.
He noted that it is a resolution of the Legislature and that “New Delhi should respect and take a view on it
