Opposition PDP, PC trash Omar Abdullah's proposed signature campaign for restoration of statehood of Jammu and Kashmir

Opposition parties in Jammu and Kashmir stated that the signature campaign in support of statehood proposed by chief minister Omar Abdullah is mockery and betrayal of the trust and mandate of the people reposed in the National Conference in the last assembly election.

The opposition People’s Democratic Party and People’s Conference legislators accused Abdullah of normalizing the decisions of August 5, 2019, when the BJP led government in New Delhi, abrogated Article 370 and 35 (A) and downgraded the erstwhile state of J&K into the two Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.

Abdullah during his speech on August 15, here in Srinagar had said that he will no longer be silent on the issue of restoration of statehood and instead hit the streets and reach out to people in all 90 assembly constituencies across J&K. He said that his government will get their signatures in support of restoration of statehood which will be submitted before the BJP leader government in New Delhi and the Supreme Court. The SC while hearing the petition on restoration of statehood on August 14, gave eight weeks time to the central government to submit their response.


“We will support any movement towards statehood. But please don’t make a mockery of statehood. Let us approach the Supreme Court as a constitutional entity not as another ‘Tom Dick and Harry. Signature campaigns have no legal or constitutional sanctity,” said Sajad Lone of People’s Conference. He suggested that the NC led government should pass a strong resolution in the J&K assembly. “Our resolutions are not binding on the Supreme Court, but inherent in them will be constitutional dignity and reflect will of people…Political or signature campaigns have no legal or constitutional sanctity,” said Lone asking, “Name one event empirically in India or in the rest of the world where signature campaigns have altered legal interpretations. They are not even admissible.”

The PC chief also referred to the 2007 signature campaign ‘Safr-e-Azadi’ of the jailed Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front leader Yasin Malik. “The signature campaign for independence was carried out by Yasin Malik also. How far did that campaign go,” Lone asked. He accused Abdullah of showing, “disregard, disdain and contempt for the assembly that has made him the CM.”

“I beg you. Please stop this childish and immature attitude. We will support any campaign unconditionally. But please ensure that a resolution from the state assembly is also passed and sent to the Supreme Court,” said Lone, adding, “Don’t set the stage for denial of statehood. Act like a leader. Don’t throw tantrums…This is a real ideological battle. This is not a video game.”

The PC legislator from Handwara, who served as a minister in the last PDP-BJP government, asked Abdullah to explain “whether he was shielding and protecting the state BJP and giving them the luxury of not taking a position on statehood, by not passing a resolution on statehood?”

The PDP legislator from Pulwama, Waheed Para said that Abdullah owes an apology not a signature campaign for normalising 5th August. “With 50 MLAs behind him, he has reduced the fight for J&K’s statehood to token gestures, after seeking votes door-to-door on the promise of restoring pre–5th August status,” said Para, adding, “This is not just retreat, it is betrayal.” The PDP leader said that the people of J&K gave Abdullah a historic mandate to fight for Article 370 and statehood, not to stage political theatre. “If he has already surrendered, he must admit it and apologise to every citizen of J&K for selling promises he never intended to keep,” said Para.

Another opposition party Awami Ittehad Party also slammed Abdullah for his proposed signature campaign terming it as a "confession of political failure" and a "gimmick of distraction."

“Omar Abdullah had a golden opportunity to fight for the rights of the people when the NC got a full mandate to represent the aspirations of Kashmiris, especially on Article 370 and Statehood. Instead of pursuing these goals with conviction, NC has chosen the path of surrender and soft obedience towards the BJP. This signature campaign is nothing but a diversion from their betrayal,” said Inam un Nabi of AIP, whose founder and Lok Sabha member from Baramulla constituency, Engineer Rashid is currently in Tihar jail.

“If Omar Abdullah truly had the will, he would have mobilised legislators including that of oppositions, taken legal and constitutional routes and built a national-level consensus for the restoration of rights...You are not launching a campaign , you are submitting a written apology for your failure," said Nabi. The AIP reasserted that it rejects such "puppet shows" and stands firm on the demand for restoration of statehood and protection of identity and land rights through "real peaceful and democratic resistance - not hollow campaigns."

“People of J&K need sincere voices, not failed dynasties trying to save their political legacy with PR gimmicks,” said Nabi.