By | Spotlight Correspondent
A heated debate erupted in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly today as senior National Conference (NC) leader and Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), Ali Muhammad Sagar, invoked history to emphasize the significance of impactful decision-making in the House.
Addressing the assembly, Sagar reminded members that prominent figures like Syed Ali Geelani and Abdul Gani Lone were once part of this very institution. He stressed that despite differences in opinion, the new generation of lawmakers must work towards decisions that serve the public interest.
Urging the Indian government to engage in dialogue with Pakistan for resolving the Kashmir issue and ending bloodshed, Sagar remarked, “There is no doubt that Pakistan is a failed state, but for the resolution of the Kashmir issue, we must pursue talks.”
Taking a jab at the opposition, Sagar criticized them for obstructing key initiatives whenever NC leaders like Farooq Abdullah or Omar Abdullah took steps regarding power projects or autonomy. He also accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of failing to defend Article 370 or take concrete steps to address Kashmir’s pressing concerns. “Our leaders were martyred, we defended Kashmir with our blood, and today, those who did nothing claim to be nationalists!” he asserted.
BJP Hits Back
The remarks sparked a sharp rebuttal from BJP MLA and opposition leader Sunil Sharma, who countered that Sagar should reflect on his own party’s past.
Reminding NC of its own contradictions, Sharma pointed out that when the autonomy resolution was rejected, the then-Chief Minister and his cabinet were complicit in the decision. He further questioned NC’s historical decisions, particularly during the 2002 elections, and raised concerns over their associations with controversial figures.
“When history is clear for everyone to see, blaming others is unjustified,” Sharma remarked, adding that before pointing fingers at others, NC must engage in self-reflection.
The fiery exchanges highlighted the deep political divisions in the assembly, setting the stage for an intense political battle over Kashmir’s future.
