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The first session of the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Assembly in six years was marked by chaos and a renewed push for the restoration of Article 370, which was revoked by the BJP-led central government in 2019. The session was called to order after the recent elections that saw the National Conference (NC)-Congress alliance win a majority of seats in the Assembly.
The session was thrown into disarray when People's Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker Wahid Parra tabled a resolution against the scrapping of Article 370. BJP lawmakers immediately opposed the resolution, despite the Speaker, Rahim Rather of the ruling NC, stating that he had not yet admitted any such motion. The move by the PDP highlighted the continuing controversy and heated debate surrounding the revocation of Article 370, which had granted special status and privileges to J&K.
Despite the opposition from the BJP, the NC-led government has made it clear that they are committed to restoring statehood to J&K, which was also a key election promise by the party. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, while acknowledging the difficulty in convincing the BJP to restore Article 370, has stressed that the NC will continue to advocate for its restoration. The NC has also passed a resolution calling for the restoration of statehood and has initiated talks with the central government on the matter.
The new government's focus on restoring statehood is seen as a more achievable objective than the immediate restoration of Article 370. While the future of Article 370 remains uncertain, the first session of the J&K Assembly has shown that the issue continues to be a major point of contention between the government and the opposition, and is likely to remain a significant factor in the political landscape of J&K in the coming years.
The session also revealed the complex political landscape in J&K, where the NC-Congress alliance now governs with a clear majority, but faces challenges from the BJP and the PDP. The session has highlighted the ongoing tensions between the government in J&K and the central government, particularly on the issue of Article 370 and statehood, and the challenges in achieving a lasting solution for the region.
Despite the divisions, Chief Minister Abdullah has expressed a desire for a constructive relationship with the central government, recognizing the importance of cooperation in addressing the region's complex challenges, including security and development. However, the first session of the J&K Assembly has clearly shown that the debate over Article 370 and statehood is far from over and is likely to continue to shape the political landscape of the region in the years to come.
Source: Chaos In J&K Assembly's 1st Session In 6 Years Over Article 370