A day after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reiterated his demand for the restoration of special status to the Union Territory, Leader of the Opposition and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma on Saturday asserted that the erstwhile state was never accorded any so-called "special status" under the Constitution of India.
Launching a sharp attack on the ruling National Conference (NC), Sharma accused the party of deliberately misleading the people of Jammu and Kashmir by repeatedly raising what he termed a false and non-existent issue of "special status."
Notably, on Friday, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had said that there was no need to demand the restoration of Article 370, claiming that the provision still exists in the Constitution of India. He also maintained that the restoration of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir remains the top priority of the National Conference and his government, asserting that the party is fully committed to fulfilling all its promises, with this issue at the top of its agenda.
However, speaking in the Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma categorically stated that there is no mention whatsoever of any "special status" for Jammu and Kashmir in the Indian Constitution. He said the NC's continued rhetoric on the issue is a calculated attempt to confuse the masses and divert attention from what he described as the government's complete failure on governance.
Sharma underlined that constitutional demands cannot be built on political imagination or emotional slogans, but must rest on a clear and explicit constitutional foundation.
"As far as I know and have studied the Constitution, there is no term 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," he said.
Clarifying further, the BJP leader said the term "special status" is often loosely used by various states to seek economic, employment or financial packages, and has no direct linkage 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 point out a single line in the Constitution that grants Jammu and Kashmir any such status.
"If anyone can show 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.
Escalating his political attack, Sharma accused the Abdullah family and the NC leadership of repeatedly deceiving the people of Kashmir, alleging that the "special status" narrative is being used as a smokescreen to hide decades of misrule, broken promises, and governance failures. He claimed the issue is being artificially revived to justify past electoral rhetoric and unfulfilled commitments.
The Leader of the Opposition also slammed the NC government for what he termed its insensitivity to pressing public issues. He said that instead of addressing the genuine concerns of daily wagers, unemployed youth, and beneficiaries under AAY, DPL and EWS categories, the government 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," Sharma remarked.
Criticising the recent Jammu and Kashmir budget, Sharma described it as deeply disappointing and directionless, alleging that it has failed to provide relief or hope to any section of society, including youth, farmers, workers, traders, and the poor. He said people on the ground continue to suffer while the government remains busy "selling illusions" instead of delivering governance.
Reaffirming the BJP's stand, Sunil Sharma said the party will continue to expose what he called the National Conference's false narratives, constitutional distortions, and governance failures, and will stand firmly with the people of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure that truth, development, and accountability prevail over deception and political opportunism.
