Srinagar, Feb 07: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma on Saturday mounted a sharp attack on regional rivals, dismissing demands for the restoration of “special status” to Jammu and Kashmir as a “lie” with no basis in the Indian Constitution, and accusing the National Conference (NC) and the Abdullah family of having “misled” Kashmiris for decades.
Speaking to Kashmir Convener Sharma asserted that while he is “not a legal expert”, his reading of constitutional provisions shows no mention of any “special status” for J&K after its accession to India. He said any constitutional demand must be legally grounded, and the idea of a special status for the region was a political narrative built on falsehoods.
“What is this special status? Several states demand special status or special packages — it can mean an employment package or other benefits. But there is no special constitutional provision for J&K,” Sharma said.
He underlined that Article 370, which granted Jammu and Kashmir its erstwhile autonomy, is now “part of history”. “Do not connect it to 370. 370 has been buried,” he said.
The LoP’s remarks came a day after an NC MLA raised the issue of J&K’s special status during a debate in the Assembly. Daring the NC to provide proof, Sharma said, “They should take the Indian Constitution to a legal expert and show where special status regarding J&K exists. If they can show it, I am ready to face any punishment. But it is not there.”
Sharma alleged, “The Abdullah family has cheated Kashmir. They misled people to gain votes. Today, when exposed for their failures, they are making claims of special status to justify themselves.”
Sharma accused the NC of showing contempt toward the vulnerable during the Assembly discussion. He claimed that while debating special status, NC leaders “mocked daily wagers, unemployed youth, and beneficiaries of government schemes like AAY, DPL, and EWS.”
“Some leaders are now using this demand to legitimise their electoral setbacks and governance failures,” he said.
The BJP has maintained that the move was necessary for full integration and development, a stance Sharma reiterated by questioning the term’s relevance. “Where is the special status? It is a lie,” Sharma added.
Notably, mainstream parties in union territory of Jammu and Kashmir NC and the PDP have consistently demanded the restoration of J&K’s special constitutional position since the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019.
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