Srinagar, Sep 28 (KNS): Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma on Monday said there was “no room for any Pakistan agenda” in Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the Union Territory would remain an integral part of India.

Addressing reporters in Srinagar as per news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS), Sharma said the BJP was committed to restoration of Statehood but opposed references to the 2000 autonomy resolution and the 2024 special-status resolution in the government’s resolution. He said the party would support the move if it was restricted to the restoration of Statehood.

“If the CM brings only a Statehood resolution, we will support it. Statehood is the agenda of the BJP and we are committed to it. It will come,” Sharma said.

The LoP objected to references concerning Jammu and Kashmir’s pre-1953 constitutional position, saying these issues went beyond the question of Statehood. “The resolution was moved by the CM. If it was only for Statehood, we would have taken part. But the references to 2000 and 2024 violate the Constitution,” he said.

Sharma also questioned the Congress’s position on the issue, asking whether it supported a return to the constitutional arrangement that existed before 1953, including the provisions associated with Article 370 and Article 35A.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

He alleged that the National Conference and Congress were attempting to revive issues that, in his view, could affect peace in Jammu and Kashmir. “It is not that the opposition will oppose everything. J&K is a sensitive state and we have neighbours who always try to take advantage of things and disturb peace,” he said.

Sharma said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was peaceful and described restoration of Statehood as the outstanding issue. He also criticised Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather for allowing the resolution to be taken up despite BJP objections and said the party had moved a motion seeking his removal. The BJP’s notice seeking the Speaker’s removal was reported in the Assembly on Monday.

On the timeline for restoration of Statehood, Sharma said the Chief Minister could not set a deadline. “Who is the CM to set a timeline? Statehood will be given and we are committed to it. Discussions should not be taken in a hurry,” he said.

The BJP, Sharma said, would launch protests across Jammu and Kashmir against the resolution, particularly its references to the pre-1953 period.(KNS)