Omar Abdullah asks legislators to desist from doing politics on basis of 'Whatsapp university forwards'

Jammu, Mar 25: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday took exception to, what he said, "objection to the passage of bills by the members on the basis of WhatsApp university forwards"..

He was responding to the objections raised by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Waheed Para to the usage of expression of "Government of UT of Jammu and Kashmir" in the bill aimed at amending J&K Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Act, 2017.

The Bill was later passed by the House through a voice vote.

Prior to it, Peoples Conference MLA Sajad Lone too staged a walkout on the same issue saying that through this expression, the Government was ratifying the UT status.

In a sharp retort to Para, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, "Whether we like it or not, presently we are (J&K is) the Union Territory. Entire business of the House was conducted as the UT. Even the grants and the Apprpropriation Bills too were passed for the UT. All of us have taken oath as the Members of UT Legislative Assembly. Problem erupts on account of "whatsapp university forwards" - this message on the basis of which Sajad Lone Sahib walked out of the House and now other Member (Para) is raising objection. This message has been received, by all of us."

"Please don't do politics. Nothing will change with the change in expression which is a reality of the day. It will remain so till we actually get our statehood for which I'm agitating at every available forum," the Chief Minister said, referring to his meetings with the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister.

The House also passed the J&K Appropriation Bill, 2025, through voice vote.