BJP leader warns of ‘parallel government’ in J-K

SRINAGAR — Sunil Sharma, the Leader of Opposition in Jammu and Kashmir’s Legislative Assembly, has warned that the BJP may establish a “parallel government” if the current administration fails to mend its attitude.

Sharma accused Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather of acting as an ‘agent’ of the National Conference and ‘violating’ the Constitution.

After being marshalled out from the Assembly session, BJP MLAs conducted a “parallel assembly” on the lawns of the J&K Assembly as a form of protest.

Sharma expressed frustration over a recent legislative session where the National Conference moved a resolution opposing the Parliament’s August 5, 2019 decision, which, according to the BJP leader, showcased its separatist agenda in the Assembly. He claimed the Speaker openly backed the resolution despite it being repealed by Parliament and upheld by the Supreme Court.

Sharma, as per the news agency KNT, challenged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to identify any provision in the Indian Constitution granting special status to Jammu and Kashmir. He asserted that Article 370 was intended as a temporary measure and holds no relevance since its removal.

Sharma criticized the National Conference’s push to reinstate Article 370, arguing it diverts attention from pressing issues such as the plight of Kashmiri Pandits and the loss of over 21,800 civilians.

Sunil Sharma reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah’s promise to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, accusing the National Conference of deliberately obstructing this commitment.