Sheikh Abdullah’s 1975 Move Validated J&K PM-to-CM Downgrade, Sajad Lone in Assembly – Alfaaz – The Words

Jammu: Sajad Gani Lone on Thursday strongly criticised the National Conference, saying that party founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah’s decision to assume office in 1975 amounted to an endorsement of the downgrading of the post of Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir to Chief Minister.

Addressing the Legislative Assembly, Lone said the course of history would have been different had Sheikh Abdullah not accepted the Chief Minister’s chair. He said that when a Prime Minister occupies a Chief Minister’s position, it reflects acceptance of the change in status.

Lone also targeted the National Conference leadership over its past positions, questioning former chief minister Farooq Abdullah’s visit to the United Nations in 1994. He said the visit was not undertaken on behalf of the people of Kashmir.

He further accused the National Conference of voting in favour of the Prevention of Terrorism Act in Parliament, alleging that the law was largely applied in Jammu and Kashmir.

Lone said the National Conference had remained in alliance with central parties for nearly two and a half decades, including multiple alliances with the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party. He questioned the party’s claim that it had consistently opposed the Centre.

Referring to events preceding the abrogation of Article 370, Lone remarked on the National Conference leadership’s engagement with New Delhi, including comments directed at former chief minister Omar Abdullah.

On the security situation, Lone said militancy in Kashmir followed the alleged rigging of the 1987 Assembly elections, referring to figures such as Yasin Malik and Shabir Shah.

Raising the issue of reservations, Lone said Kashmir accounts for about 60 per cent of the population but receives only 25 to 30 per cent of government jobs. He said the cabinet sub-committee’s recommendations would raise this share marginally.

He said he supported a united Jammu and Kashmir but maintained that Kashmiri youth should not bear the consequences of unity. He also criticised BJP legislators for celebrating the derecognition of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence.