J&K BJP opposition leader meets Shah after Statehood resolution introduced

Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Saturday, a day after Chief Minister Omar Abdullah introduced a resolution seeking restoration of full Statehood to the Union Territory. According to a BJP spokesman, Sharma discussed the security situation, law and order, development initiatives, public concerns and matters relating to the ongoing Assembly session. The spokesman said Sharma also raised concerns being expressed by people in Jammu and Kashmir.

The spokesman said Shah reiterated the Union government’s commitment to peace, development and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir. He added that the Home Minister assured Sharma of continued support and cooperation on matters concerning the territory’s people. The meeting took place as the Assembly prepared to consider Abdullah’s resolution.

The resolution refers to a 2000 report on greater autonomy and a 2024 resolution on special status, and calls on the Centre to meet the demands of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. National Conference spokesman Imran Nabi Dar defended the measure, saying Statehood was a commitment made by the Centre. He said people in Jammu would not support the BJP’s position on Statehood and questioned why an earlier autonomy resolution supported by eight BJP legislators was now described as unacceptable.

Sharma rejected the resolution in the Assembly on Friday. He said it attempted to bring the 2000 autonomy report and the 2024 resolution back into discussion, and accused the National Conference of using the issue to distract from its record in government. The resolution is expected to be discussed in the Assembly on Monday.

The supplied material does not state whether it has been passed or indicate how the Centre would respond to its demands.