Cong, CPI (M), PDP support cabinet resolution

Srinagar, Oct 19: The cabinet passing a resolution urging the Centre to restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir has triggered a debate within the political circles.

Congress, CPI (M), and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday said that they support the cabinet resolution.

However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) termed the move a “political drama”.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief Tariq Hameed Karra said, “The cabinet passing the resolution to seek restoration of the statehood is a welcome move.”

On whether Congress would bring a resolution in the Legislative Assembly to seek the restoration of statehood, he said, “People have a lot of expectations from the government. They have voted for the restoration of statehood. People are hoping that their rights will be restored.”

Karra said: “The alliance partners are on the same page vis-à-vis the issues touching the skin of a common man. The biggest issue confronting J&K youth is unemployment and it needs to be addressed.”  CPI (M) leader, Muhammad Yusuf Tarigami said, “Restoration of statehood is a priority for us. It has been promised by the Prime Minister. The Solicitor General has assured the Supreme Court on behalf of the government that Union Territory status is a temporary measure. Statehood to J&K has been committed at the highest level. CPI (M) will supplement the efforts of the government.”

He said that all coalition partners were committed to the restoration of statehood.

“It’s the duty of the cabinet now to take up this demand with the Centre,” he said.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Youth President, Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra said, “If they fight with the Centre to get back the statehood we are with them but it looks like they (government) are more interested in making peace with the Centre. They want cordial relations with the Centre and normalisation of the August 5, 2019, decision (abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35-A). It seems that they want to put a stamp on it.”

He remained non-committal on whether PDP would bring a resolution in the assembly to seek restoration of J&K statehood.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s J&K spokesman Altaf Thakur said, “Restoration of statehood has been promised by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister on the floor of the house. They have reiterated it on many occasions. Getting a resolution on it is nothing but a political drama. The National Conference (NC)-led government is just trying to keep people busy.”

NC chief spokesman Tanvir Sadiq said, ‘Now the cabinet has passed a resolution on the restoration of the statehood and it’s on its way to Delhi. If need be we will ratify it in the assembly. To win a race one needs to take a first step and the first step has been taken. When statehood is restored, the incumbent government will have the power to fulfill all the promises made in the manifesto. When the state is restored other promises will also be fulfilled.”