SRINAGAR, September 30, 2026 : Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma on Wednesday accused Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of “sabotaging” the demand for restoration of statehood by linking it with the pre-1953 position and restoration of Article 370.
Addressing reporters after the conclusion of the seven-day Autumn Session, Sharma described the session as “unfortunate” for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and questioned the government’s handling of issues raised by the opposition.
“Who gave you the right to sabotage statehood by adding the pre-1953 position and restoration of Article 370 to it?” Sharma asked.
Sharma said the BJP supports restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, but opposed linking the demand with restoration of the constitutional arrangements that existed before the changes made in 2019.
The J&K Assembly had passed a resolution seeking restoration of statehood, amid strong protests from BJP members. The opposition members objected to references concerning earlier autonomy and special-status-related resolutions.
Sharma also questioned the Congress party’s support for the resolution and criticised Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather for allowing it to be taken up. He reiterated the BJP’s demand that the Speaker resign on moral grounds.
Debate Over Pre-1953 Position
Sharma referred to the political history associated with National Conference founder Sheikh Abdullah and the constitutional position of Jammu and Kashmir before 1953. He questioned the relevance of those historical arrangements to the present demand for restoration of statehood.
He strongly rejected any suggestion of returning to a separate constitutional arrangement for Jammu and Kashmir, arguing that the region’s constitutional framework should remain within the Constitution of India.
Sharma also emphasised what he described as the inclusive character of Jammu and Kashmir, pointing to its diverse population comprising Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Shias, Sunnis, Gujjars, Paharis, OBCs and other communities.
He argued that religious demography should not be used as the basis for seeking a separate Constitution or flag and maintained that Jammu and Kashmir has an “inclusive character”.
Sharma Criticises Autumn Session
Turning to the functioning of the government, the Leader of Opposition described the recently concluded Assembly session as “unfortunate”.
He said people across Jammu and Kashmir had expected the session to address important public concerns and questioned Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s description of the session as “fruitful”.
According to Sharma, BJP legislators raised issues concerning daily wagers, contractual employees, daily-rated workers, NHM and NYC workers, ASHA and Anganwadi workers, GRS and technical assistants, KEMPA workers and employees of water-testing laboratories.
He alleged that the government failed to provide satisfactory responses to several of these issues despite repeated demands from BJP members.
Sharma claimed that opposition members had sought answers from the government from the first day of the session on issues being raised by people at district headquarters, but alleged that adequate responses were not provided.
Health, Education And Drinking Water Issues
The BJP leader also raised concerns over shortages in the health and education sectors.
He claimed that Jammu and Kashmir continued to face a shortage of around 13,000 doctors and paramedical staff, and alleged that the government had not made adequate use of recruitment agencies to address the shortage.
Sharma further claimed that around 4.25 lakh people were still without access to drinking water.
He released a “Promises vs Performance” dossier, which he said documented alleged gaps between commitments made by the Omar Abdullah government and its performance in areas including healthcare, employment and drinking water.
Sharma also claimed that some legislators belonging to the ruling National Conference were dissatisfied with the functioning of the government.
On reservation-related matters, however, Sharma declined to comment, citing the fact that the issue is sub judice and currently pending before the court.
He reiterated the BJP’s position that statehood should be restored to Jammu and Kashmir, while maintaining that the demand should not be linked to restoration of the pre-2019 constitutional arrangement.
