Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar,(DD): In a move likely to spark intense debate in the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone has submitted a fresh resolution condemning the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A in the strongest terms. The resolution calls for the complete restoration of J&K’s pre-August 5, 2019 constitutional status.
Sources indicate that Lone was dissatisfied with the National Conference-led government’s earlier resolution on the issue, which he reportedly found ambiguous and lacking a clear rejection of the August 5, 2019 decisions. His new resolution explicitly condemns all actions taken that day and demands the return of J&K’s special status.
In the last assembly session, the NC-led government had introduced what was described as a “mild-worded” resolution, merely reaffirming the importance of special status and expressing concern over its unilateral removal. The resolution had stopped short of calling for an outright reinstatement of Article 370.
Opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peoples Conference (PC), had criticized the NC for what they saw as a watered-down approach. Meanwhile, the Congress maintained that NC’s resolution only sought statehood restoration and did not push for the reinstatement of Article 370.
Lone’s bold move is expected to intensify political tensions in the assembly and put pressure on the NC-led government to take a clearer stance on the issue.(DD)