‘Ensure adherence to Constitution during the budget session’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 9: Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to meet all 28 MLAs of the BJP from Jammu and Kashmir soon, either during a trip to the Jammu region or by calling them to New Delhi if the trip does not materialize, to formulate the party’s political strategy in the Union Territory, ensuring the achievement of the party’s agenda and development across both divisions.
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Shah reportedly assured Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, BJP MLA from Paddar, who met with the Home Minister in New Delhi this evening.
He could either travel to the Jammu region or invite all 28 party MLAs to New Delhi to establish a roadmap for Jammu and Kashmir focused on strengthening the party, advancing its agenda, and ensuring development throughout the UT, especially via ongoing Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs).
The BJP secured 29 seats in the UT during the September-October 2024 Assembly elections, but following the passing of prominent MLA Devender Singh Rana from Nagrota, the party now holds 28 seats. In their election manifesto and through campaign rallies, the BJP made various commitments to the public, although the party did not achieve a majority.
The BJP Central leadership aims to ensure that the Jammu region, which contributed all 29 seats of a total of 43, does not suffer from the party’s inability to gain power due to a lack of majority.
Shah has reportedly instructed Sunil Sharma, the BJP Legislature Party leader, to safeguard against any constitutional violations during the upcoming budget session of the Legislature commencing on March 3. This will be the first budget session of J&K as a Union Territory, during which Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who oversees the Finance Department, will present the budget for 2025-26.
“The Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir has ceased to exist, and J&K is now governed by the Indian Constitution following the abrogation of the special status of the former State on August 5, 2019,” sources highlighted, stating that the House will operate according to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act 2019 and the rules being established according to the Act by a Business Rules Committee chaired by Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather in his capacity as ex-officio chairman.
The Home Minister has assured the Leader of Opposition in Jammu and Kashmir that the government will implement a robust policy to tackle the drug menace in the UT, as drugs are also being utilized to finance terrorism.
Regarding the rise in crime, including incidents of shootings and theft in Jammu, Shah informed Sunil Sharma that he recently conducted a thorough review of the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and will hold an additional review to ensure that peace in the region remains intact. He emphasized that clear directives have been given to the police to maintain law and order at all costs.
Shah also mentioned that the Village Defence Guards (VDGs) will be further bolstered and equipped with advanced arms and ammunition to combat terrorism.
Sharma highlighted the severe assault on an ex-serviceman’s family in Kulgam and requested the Home Minister to ensure rehabilitation and education for the victim’s family.
By-elections for two Assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir are also anticipated, potentially taking place in March and April. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah resigned from the Budgam seat while retaining Ganderbal, and the Nagrota Assembly seat in the Jammu region fell vacant due to the passing of Devender Singh Rana.
Additionally, five MLAs, including two women, two Kashmiri Pandits (one of whom is a woman), and one refugee from Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK), still need to be nominated to the Assembly. These nominations will be made by the Lieutenant Governor.
All four Rajya Sabha seats for Jammu and Kashmir have also been vacant since February 2021, with elections expected to be held soon.
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