NC’s plans to bring Art 370 resolution in J&K Assembly put Cong in spotlight

‘Party leadership will discuss & take appropriate decision’: Karra; BJP announces to strongly oppose any such move

Jammu: With the National Conference (NC) signaling its intention to bring a resolution for the restoration of contentious Article 370 during the first assembly session starting November 4, the focus has shifted to the Congress party, the NC’s coalition partner in J&K government, especially with the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand next month.
The Congress party, which had a disappointing performance in the recent assembly polls—winning just six seats and failing to secure any seat in the Hindu-dominated areas of the Jammu region—has opted to remain outside the government while offering support to the NC-led coalition under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Jammu and Kashmir.
A senior Congress leader, who wished to remain anonymous, predicted significant challenges for the party if the NC advances and passes a resolution on the restoration of Article 370, which was abrogated by the BJP-led Central government in August 2019.
“The timing (on bringing a resolution on Article 370) is crucial, given the coming elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. Any involvement or endorsement from Congress could provide the BJP enough fodder to exploit the situation against the party at the national level,” the leader said.
Recently, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, NC’s Lok Sabha member from Srinagar, expressed optimism that the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly would prioritize a resolution on Article 370 in its first session. “I expect it to be the first order of business, or at least passed in the first session (of the Assembly),” he stated on ‘X Space’.
The NC faces mounting pressure from its political rivals, particularly in Kashmir, to fulfill its commitment to introduce a resolution on Article 370 in the first assembly session.
“….We hope this government will pass its first resolution condemning the abrogation of Article 370 on the floor of the House to send a message across the country that the people of J&K do not support the Union government’s August 5, 2019 decisions,” PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti had recently said in a bid to mount pressure on NC over this sensitive issue.
When contacted, J&K Congress president Tariq Hameed Karr said he was unaware of any NC plans regarding the resolution. “If something arises, our leadership will discuss the situation and make an informed decision,” he said.
J&K Congress spokesperson Ravinder Sharma added that such issues are managed on the assembly floor, with decisions made based on the situation. “The Congress legislature party will convene to assess and respond as required. Our primary aim remains the restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
On Monday, the BJP declared that it would strongly oppose any move of NC to bring resolution on Article 370. Ashok Koul, BJP’s General Secretary (Organisation) J&K, told a news agency that the BJP would not back the proposed resolution.
“No government in J&K can bring back Article 370. There should be no confusion about this. If the NC government insists on this, we will oppose it. As the main opposition party, our MLAs will not support any resolution on Article 370,” Koul said.
The National Conference has 42 MLAs in the 90-member Assembly, while the BJP, with 29 seats, serves as the main opposition party in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.

Updated On 10/29/2024 2:44:42 AM