SRINAGAR: Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma on Friday said the BJP was prepared to debate restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir but would oppose any discussion on Article 370 or the autonomy resolution passed by the erstwhile Assembly in 2000.
Addressing reporters after disruptions in the Legislative Assembly over Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s statehood resolution, Sharma questioned the inclusion of the 2000 autonomy resolution in the fresh measure.
He said the BJP had rejected the autonomy resolution when it was passed and questioned why it had been referred to again in the resolution currently before the House.
Sharma also sought clarification from the Congress leadership on its position on the autonomy resolution and Article 370, asking whether the party supported those earlier resolutions or the government’s current position.
He also questioned Abdullah’s position on the autonomy resolution, pointing out that the Chief Minister had served as a minister in the NDA government headed by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee when the autonomy resolution was rejected.
Sharma alleged that the government was using the statehood issue to divert attention from governance-related matters and said the BJP was willing to debate statehood in the Assembly.
“If you want to debate statehood, we challenge you. We are ready to debate on statehood,” Sharma said, while alleging that the government was using the issue to conceal what he described as its failures.
The BJP leader said his party rejected the references to autonomy and Article 370 and would not permit a debate on those issues.
Sharma said the BJP would continue its protest until the Congress clarified its position on Article 370 and the autonomy resolution and the government responded to the questions raised by the opposition.
