Irrelevant to discuss Article 370 in J&K Assembly session: BJP
The recent Jammu and Kashmir Assembly session has been dominated by the discussion on various issues, from the state’s economic woes to the government’s performance. However, one topic that has been noticeably absent from the agenda is Article 370, a contentious issue that has been at the heart of the political discourse in the region for years. According to BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Sunil Sharma, it is indeed “irrelevant” to discuss Article 370 in the current Assembly session.
Sharma’s statement comes as a surprise, considering the BJP’s long-standing stance on the issue. However, in an interview, Sharma explained that the present government’s performance and promises were not reflected in the Lieutenant Governor’s (LG) address to the Assembly. He stated, “It would be a waste of time if we will have the discussion on Article 370 (in the Assembly).” Sharma’s remarks suggest that the BJP is more focused on addressing the pressing issues affecting the state, such as the economic crisis and the lack of development, rather than dwelling on the Article 370 controversy.
The Article 370 controversy has been a long-standing issue in Jammu and Kashmir, with both sides presenting their arguments. The BJP has consistently argued that Article 370 needs to be repealed, citing the need for national unity and the fact that it is a temporary provision that was meant to be removed after a certain period. On the other hand, the National Conference (NC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been vocal in their opposition to the repeal, arguing that it is a matter of state autonomy and the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The issue gained prominence in 2019 when the BJP-led government at the Centre decided to scrap Article 370 through a Presidential Order. The move was met with widespread protests and violence in the state, with many viewing it as a betrayal of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The state was also stripped of its special status, and it was reorganized into two Union Territories – Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
However, in recent times, the debate on Article 370 has taken a backseat, as the focus has shifted to the state’s economic woes and the government’s performance. The Jammu and Kashmir administration has been facing severe financial challenges, with a budget deficit of over Rs 20,000 crore. The state’s economy has been struggling, and the government has been trying to find ways to boost growth and employment.
In this context, Sharma’s statement that it is “irrelevant” to discuss Article 370 in the Assembly session can be seen as a pragmatic move by the BJP to focus on the pressing issues affecting the state. By doing so, the party can avoid getting bogged down in a contentious debate that may not yield any concrete results.
The LG’s address to the Assembly, which Sharma criticized for not reflecting the promises made by the state’s present government, has also been a point of contention. The LG’s address focused primarily on the government’s achievements, rather than outlining a clear vision for the state’s development. Sharma’s remarks suggest that the Assembly session is not being used effectively to address the state’s pressing issues, and that the government is not held accountable for its promises.
In conclusion, the BJP’s decision to focus on other pressing issues rather than Article 370 can be seen as a pragmatic move in the current context. The state is facing severe economic challenges, and the government needs to focus on finding solutions to these problems rather than getting bogged down in a contentious debate. However, it remains to be seen whether the government will be able to deliver on its promises and address the state’s pressing issues.
News Source: https://x.com/PTI_News/status/1896770915859624200
