Jammu and Kashmir: CM Omar's govt under fire as statehood resolution does not mention Article 370

Indian Union Territory Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's government has come under strong criticism after ignoring Articles 370 and 35a in the very first cabinet meeting of the UT's newly-appointed ministers. Sources in the government say that a resolution was passed by the Abdullah-led government on the restoration of statehood, but it did not mention anything about Articles 370 and 35a.

Abdullah along with his ministers is being criticised by the opposition parties in Jammu and Kashmir for only talking about statehood and ignoring Article 370. The political leaders said that Abdullah fought the election on the promise of restoration of Article 370 and statehood.

However, his government has conveniently ignored the issue of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. The opposition leaders call it a betrayal on Abdullah's part as he asked for votes on the restoration of Article 370.

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“It is very painful to learn that your cabinet has passed a resolution only on statehood and ignored article 370. It has been a principal stand of his party and it's very clear that Omar Abdullah is playing under the hands of BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party). If (Union Home Minister) Amit Shah and the Prime Minister have already said that they will return to statehood then why is he only talking about statehood and ignoring his main agenda? They fought the elections on Article 370 and now it seems there is a game going on between NC (National Conference) and BJP. He is running away from the main issue,” said Engineer Rashid, Member of Parliament (MP) Baramulla.

The People's Democratic Party (PDP) has also taken a dig at the Jammu and Kashmir CM for taking a U-turn on the promise he has made to the people of the Indian UT. MLA Pulwama Waheed Parra of PDP has said that statehood is already promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi so why talk about that and ignore the issue of Article 370?

“The decision taken on August 5 2019 of revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was against the wishes of the People of Jammu and Kashmir and first resolution which was promised by Omar Abdullah was to talk about Article 370, and now we have read that they have taken a resolution only on Statehood, which Prime Minister has already promised. BJP also demands the same. Kashmiris want the restoration of article 370 and unfortunately, Omar has taken a U-turn and also normalisation of the decision taken on August 5, 2019,” said Parra.

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People's Conference chief andHandwara MLA, Sajad Gani Lone has also hit out at the Abdullah-led government, saying he failed to understand why this resolution should not have been reserved for the Assembly. He also said that by doing this it also trivialises these issues.

“Apparently the cabinet has passed a resolution on statehood. This is as per the headlines of an authentic newspaper based out of Jammu. In wonderment why should a resolution on statehood passed by the cabinet be shrouded in mystery and secrecy — that only one newspaper publishes it.

“I hope the CS of J and K has notified it as is the protocol. And I very humbly state that the will of the people of J and K is reflected in the Assembly and not in the cabinet. The Cabinet is a majoritarian institution of governance,” said Lone on social media.

He added, “It does not reflect all shades and opinions as per the will of the people of J and K. All across the country, to the best of my knowledge, the Assembly is the proper institution for addressing major issues like that of statehood or Article 370. When the NC Government passed a resolution on autonomy they passed it in the Assembly, not through a cabinet resolution. What has changed now. Fail to understand why this resolution should not have been reserved for the Assembly. Why are we so keen to trivialise everything? Would have loved to see which way BJP and other parties vote on statehood and on Article 370 resolution when it is presented in the Assembly.”

"And I am cutting and pasting a few lines out of the NC manifesto for 2024 Assembly elections. ‘Strive for the full implementation of the Autonomy Resolution passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly in 2000. We strive to Restore 370-35A, and Statehood as prior to August 5 2019. In the interim period We will endeavour to redraft the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, and the Transaction of Business of the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Rules, 2019. The Jammu and Kashmir assembly, in its first list of business after elections, will pass a resolution against the centre's decision to strip the region of its statehood and special status’. The last para says it all. We are not demanding or expecting anything extraordinary. Do what you promised the people of J and K in your manifesto,” said Lone added.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha on Friday (Oct 18) allocated portfolios to the cabinet ministers in the government.

The order issued by Sinha said that in pursuance of rule 4(2) of the Transaction of Business of the Government of Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir Rules, 2019, 1, the Lieutenant Governor was assigned the charge of the Ministers.

The lieutenant governor's order said that Surinder Kumar Choudhary (Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir) will hold Public Works (R&B), Industries & Commerce, Mining, Labour & Employment and Skill Development.

Sakeena Itoo will be given the charge of Health & Medical Education, School Education, Higher Education and Social Welfare; Javed Ahmed Rana Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs; Javid Ahmad Dar Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Cooperative, and Election.

Satish Sharma will hold the charge of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Transport, Science & Technology, Information Technology, Youth Services & Sports and ARI & Training.