Srinagar, Sep 27 (KNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly is set to take up for discussion on Monday a resolution moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah seeking the immediate restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, with the issue likely to trigger fresh exchanges between the ruling benches and the BJP opposition.

The resolution, moved by Abdullah on Friday, calls upon the Government of India for the "immediate and urgent" restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. It also refers to resolutions passed by the House on June 26, 2000 and November 6, 2024.

The inclusion of references to the earlier resolutions has emerged as the main point of contention between the ruling National Conference-led alliance and the BJP.

BJP legislators strongly protested after the resolution was introduced on Friday, with the proceedings witnessing sloganeering and disruption. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather subsequently adjourned the House for the day.

Abdullah has maintained that the present resolution is confined to the demand for restoration of full statehood and does not seek a vote on Article 370, special status or autonomy.

The chief minister has also said the references to the 2000 and 2024 resolutions were included to make clear that the new resolution neither replaces nor repeals the earlier resolutions.

The BJP, however, has objected to the reference to the 2000 autonomy resolution, arguing that the issue should not be brought into the present debate on statehood.

Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma has said the BJP is prepared to discuss restoration of statehood but would oppose bringing Article 370 and autonomy-related issues into the proceedings. He has questioned why the earlier autonomy resolution was referred to in the latest resolution.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Sharma on Sunday also claimed that the BJP was committed to restoration of full statehood and accused Abdullah of undermining the issue by referring to the 2000 resolution.

The chief minister, meanwhile, has argued that Jammu and Kashmir should be restored to full statehood and not to an arrangement in which key powers remain with the Centre.

The latest confrontation comes amid heightened political exchanges in the Assembly over the scope and wording of the resolution. The BJP has alleged that references to the earlier resolutions go beyond the issue of statehood, while the ruling side has maintained that the current resolution is specifically aimed at seeking restoration of statehood.

The issue also figured against the backdrop of a meeting between Sharma and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Saturday. According to a statement issued after the meeting, the two discussed security, law and order, development, public concerns and matters related to the ongoing Assembly session.

The BJP has also maintained that it will not allow the Assembly debate on the statehood resolution to be linked with Article 370 or the autonomy issue.

With Friday's proceedings ending amid protests, attention is now focused on Monday's sitting and whether the House will proceed with a substantive debate on the resolution or witness another confrontation between the treasury and opposition benches.

The resolution, if taken up for discussion, is expected to provide the government and opposition an opportunity to place their respective positions on the restoration of statehood and the references to the Assembly's earlier resolutions on the record.(KNS)