Srinagar, 04 November 2024: Citing unspecified rules, the ruling National Conference (NC) leader and assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather has turned down the resolution against the reading down of Article 370, which was proposed by PDP’s Parra during the first session of the J&K Legislative Assembly.
The resolution, signed by three PDP legislators, including Mir Fayaz of Kupwara and Rafiq Ahmad Naik of Tral, said that the assembly “opposes” the diminishment of Jammu and Kashmir's “special status” under the J&K Reorganisation Act of 2019 and called for the “complete rescinding” of the Act and called to restore “all constitutional guarantees” to the region “in their original, pristine form.”
However, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the move as a mere publicity stunt, characterizing it as a “first-day, first-show” tactic intended “for the cameras.”
He criticized the PDP for not consulting his party before introducing the resolution, stating, “One honourable member (of the House) can’t decide how this issue is to be reflected, how it will be discussed, and how it will be put on record.”
Abdullah said that individual resolutions could be introduced during private members' business in the main assembly session.
Moreover, the speaker, Rather echoed Abdullah's sentiments, condemning the resolution as a “display of incompetence,”
He also urged them to adhere to the ‘established legislative protocols.’
Earlier, CM Abdullah remarked that those responsible for the abrogation cannot restore it and urged the people to prioritize the fight for statehood first before Article 370 restoration.