Srinagar. After a week‑long autumn session, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly adjourned, leaving the chamber split between the ruling coalition and a vociferous opposition. On the final day, opposition leader Sunil Sharma unleashed a blistering critique of the Omar Abdullah government, insisting that numerous grievances raised by legislators and ordinary citizens have been left untouched.
Opposition’s List of Grievances
Sharma dismissed the administration’s claim that the session was productive. He highlighted that, while the Bharatiya Janata Party raised concerns from several districts, pressing issues affecting daily‑wage workers, contract staff, National Health Mission employees, ASHA volunteers and Anganwadi workers were relegated to the sidelines.
Statehood Motion Triggers Turmoil
The most contentious episode revolved around a resolution demanding the full restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tabled the motion on September 25, and the Assembly passed it despite a walk‑out and protests from BJP legislators.
Although the BJP publicly supports the return of statehood, it objected to the wording of the resolution, which referenced earlier positions on autonomy and special status. Sharma branded the text unconstitutional and questioned why Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather allowed the debate to proceed in spite of objections from the Law Department and the Chief Secretary.
Speaker Faces Criticism
Sharma pressed the Speaker to take responsibility for permitting the controversial resolution to be discussed and adopted. Rather defended the Assembly’s procedural safeguards, insisting that the house follows established rules for such matters. The exchange heightened the confrontations that characterised the week‑long session.
BJP Promises Scrutiny of Government Performance
Following the adjournment, Sharma pledged that the opposition would keep the government under close watch. He announced that the BJP would compile a detailed dossier contrasting the promises made by the Abdullah ministry with its actual achievements.
Session Closes with Deepening Polarisation
The autumn session wrapped up with stark disagreements over governance priorities, public‑service concerns, and the statehood resolution, underscoring the persistent political rift within the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.
