Jammu: Senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Sunil Sharma, launched a scathing attack on the National Conference (NC), accusing it of deliberately misleading the people of Jammu and Kashmir by repeatedly raising the false and non-existent issue of “special status.”
Speaking forcefully in the Assembly, Sunil Sharma categorically stated that there is no mention whatsoever of any “special status” for Jammu and Kashmir in the Indian Constitution, and asserted that NC’s continued rhetoric on the issue is nothing but a calculated attempt to confuse the masses and divert attention from its complete failure on governance.
Sharma underlined that constitutional demands cannot be built on political imagination or emotional slogans, but must have a clear and explicit constitutional basis.
“As far as I know and have studied the Constitution, there is no word called ‘special status’ anywhere in relation to Jammu and Kashmir’s accession or merger with India. When you raise a constitutional demand, it must be backed by constitutional provisions, not lies and political theatrics,” Sharma said.
He further clarified that the term “special status” is often loosely used by various states in the country to seek economic, employment or financial packages, and has nothing to do with Article 370.
“Special status can mean an employment package or a financial package. Do not connect it with Article 370. Article 370 is history and has been permanently buried,” Sharma asserted.
Referring to sloganeering by an NC MLA inside the House, Sharma challenged the ruling party to show a single line in the Constitution that grants Jammu and Kashmir any such status.
“If anyone can point out where the Constitution mentions a special status for J&K, I am ready to face any punishment. Until then, this claim remains a blatant lie,” he said.
Launching a direct political assault, the BJP leader accused the Abdullah family and the NC leadership of repeatedly deceiving the people of Kashmir, using the “special status” narrative as a smokescreen to hide decades of misrule, broken promises and governance collapse. He alleged that the issue is being artificially revived only to justify their past electoral rhetoric and failed commitments.
Sharma further slammed the NC government for its total insensitivity towards pressing public issues, stating that instead of addressing the genuine concerns of daily wagers, unemployed youth, and beneficiaries under AAY, DPL and EWS categories, the ruling party has resorted to empty slogans and diversionary politics.
“Whenever they are questioned on their failures, they raise the bogey of special status. This is their standard escape route,” he said.
The Leader of Opposition also criticized the J&K budget presented by the NC government, calling it deeply disappointing and directionless, and said it has failed to provide any relief or hope to any section of society, including youth, farmers, workers, traders and the poor.
He stated that people on the ground are suffering, while the government remains busy selling illusions instead of delivering governance.
Sunil Sharma reaffirmed that the BJP will continue to expose NC’s false narratives, constitutional distortions and governance failures, and will stand firmly with the people of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure truth, development and accountability prevail over deception and political opportunism.
