Statehood Decision Lies with Parliament, Not NC or PDP: Sunil Sharma

Srinagar, May 24  : Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Sunil Sharma, on Saturday said the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood is the sole prerogative of the Parliament and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), not regional parties like the National Conference (NC) or the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking to reporters during his visit to Karnah in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, Sharma urged people not to be misled by the claims of regional parties regarding statehood.

“NC and PDP have no role in the return of statehood. People should instead demand basic facilities like free electricity, additional ration, and subsidised LPG from them,” Sharma said.

He emphasized that the BJP would restore statehood “at the right time,” through Parliament and under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Not at the request of NC or PDP,” he added.

Taking a dig at the National Conference, Sharma said the party is barely known outside Jammu and Kashmir. “They have only three MPs in a Parliament of 543 members. They are not even visible. In contrast, BJP is in power in more than 20 states,” he said.

Sharma was in Karnah sector near the Line of Control to assess the situation following recent Pakistani shelling after Operation Sindoor.(KNS)