In Srinagar, the first session of the newly elected Jammu and Kashmir Assembly saw heated exchanges on Monday, as PDP MLA Wahid Parra introduced a resolution seeking the restoration of Article 370, the constitutional provision that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir until it was abrogated in August 2019.
Parra presented the resolution shortly after National Conference veteran Abdul Rahim Rather was elected as Speaker. Parra congratulated Rather and submitted his party’s resolution to restore Article 370. This led to a strong reaction from BJP legislators, who demanded the resolution’s immediate dismissal. Speaker Rather called for calm, stating that he would review the resolution before making a decision.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also called for order, reminding members that the session’s agenda was different and that there would be other opportunities to discuss such issues. Rather reassured the assembly that he would examine the resolution thoroughly, responding to the continued protests by saying, “If you (BJP) have decided not to allow this house to run, then I can’t say anything.”
PDP President Mehbooba Mufti voiced her support for Parra’s resolution on social media, praising his effort to seek the reinstatement of Article 370. Earlier, Rather, a seasoned National Conference leader with decades of political experience, was elected Speaker with the support of both Omar Abdullah, Leader of the House, and Sunil Sharma, Leader of the Opposition.
