Art 370, ‘Maharaja’s State', ‘love-letter’ themes dominate proceedings during opening week

Jammu, Mar 9: Article 370, "Maharaja’s State" and “love-letter” themes have resonated deeper during the Legislative Assembly proceedings in the first week of the maiden budget session of the Union Territory of J&K.

Occasional brawls too punctuated the proceedings which generally progressed peacefully in the session which commenced on March 3, 2025.

Article 370 remained the dominating subject discussed by both the ruling and opposition sides passionately, while sticking to their respective party positions.

Interestingly, prior to the session, BJP had declared that it would not allow any “anti-national or unconstitutional matters” to be debated. They had reservations over discussions on “special status”, restoration of Article 370 and related aspects. Yet the proceedings had everything in full flow from both the sides.

This gave an opportunity to the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take an oblique dig at the BJP legislators. “It was said that we were wasting time by talking about Article 370. Ironically it was discussed more by the other side (BJP) than us. In every debate, justification to abrogate it figured,” the Chief Minister had teased the opposition benches, while replying to the debate on Motion of Thanks on the Lieutenant Governor’s Address.

As demand for restoration of statehood too was a prominent issue deliberated during the proceedings; “Maharaja’s State” figured extensively by both the sides to aim barbs at each other.

On this account, BJP MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia targeted the ruling combine. While participating in the general debate on the budget, he said, “I’m happy that this time in the budget, we are not discussing killings. I’m also happy that during deliberations, we are discussing Maharaja, his State and his laws passionately. During the last 70 years, he was never discussed so vigorously.”

Another key-word which amused one and all was the “love-letter” theme used both for the “Lieutenant Governor’s Address” as well as “Budget speech” presented by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who presented his maiden budget as the Finance Minister. Opposition mainly Peoples Conference MLA Sajad Lone described these documents as “love-letter to BJP”. Counter came from the Chief Minister during his post budget presser. “For me, what matters is that we have presented a people’s friendly budget. It’s a love letter to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. To the extent, if there are people of J&K who voted for BJP then it is a love letter to them as well. It’s a love letter to those who voted for NC, Congress, PDP and also to those who did not vote at all. So, let’s not be sort of unfair to make this (budget) as a love-letter only to the BJP,” Omar remarked.