‘Resolution Will Potentially Delay Jammu and Kashmir Statehood’: BJP Legislator

Srinagar: In the backdrop of JKNC led government’s resolution seeking revival of special status, a legislator from opposition Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday said the move has irritated the central government, potentially delaying statehood restoration to Jammu and Kashmir.

The BJP legislator from Udhampur, Pawan Gupta, according to news agency KNT, said that the resolution was ‘unnecessary’ and has disrupted the legislative business.

Gupta claimed that like other parties, the BJP also supports statehood restoration with constitutional guarantees but criticized the National Conference’s approach as “flogging a dead horse.” He said this move has shattered confidence with the central government and delayed statehood.

“Everyone desires Jammu and Kashmir’s development and progress. Had the National Conference government sought statehood restoration alone, we would have backed them and persuaded the central government to grant it. We could have even vouched for their performance. However, by raising a ‘contentious’ issue, they are essentially beating a dead horse,” Pawan Gupta said and reiterated that BJP is on the same page with the NC government on the restoration of statehood.