J&K assembly passes statehood resolution

In Jammu and Kashmir, the Legislative Assembly on Monday passed a resolution seeking the immediate restoration of full statehood to the Union Territory. The resolution was moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and was passed by voice vote after a debate in the House.  BJP legislators opposed the resolution and staged a walkout before the vote. The resolution calls for its forwarding to the Government of India for necessary action.
Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather put the resolution to vote after members spoke on it and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah responded to the debate. The resolution was passed by voice vote, with none voting against it, as BJP members, who had been protesting since the start of the proceedings, walked out when it was put to vote. “In addition to the resolutions passed by this House on June 26, 2000 and 6th November 2024, this House calls upon the Government of India for the immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood to J&K and resolves that this resolution be forwarded to Government of India,” reads the resolution.
The resolution was moved by Omar on Friday. At least 10 members had earlier moved amendments seeking to include Article 370 and 35A in it. However, they withdrew the amendments after the discussion and the Speaker’s appeal. Addressing the House, Omar said, “I knew our friends (BJP members) will not be happy with this resolution and they would make complete efforts to disrupt the house and they won’t need to vote on it.Explaining the need for the resolution on statehood, Omar said, “Since two years, we have been waiting for the central government to fulfil its promise. In the judgement, SC had given clear instructions to the central government to restore statehood to J&K as soon as possible after holding of Assembly elections.”