Assembly’s role is to reflect people’s aspirations: MP Ruhullah Mehdi

Says BJP’s ‘frustration’ over special status resolution not surprising

Tral (Pulwama): Senior National Conference leader and Member of Parliament, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Thursday said the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly’s primary function is to represent the aspirations and emotions of its people, particularly in matters affecting their rights and identity.Speaking to reporters in the Tral area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, Aga Ruhullah said the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly is the legitimate platform to express the sentiments and demands of the region’s residents, especially regarding the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. He was referring to the resolution passed in the Assembly on Wednesday that sought the restoration of the region’s special status, which was revoked by the central government in August 2019.“The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly’s role is to voice the needs and aspirations of the people. The resolution passed on Wednesday was done constitutionally, and it was not like what the BJP did in 2019, when they unconstitutionally scrapped the special status of Jammu and Kashmir without the concurrence of the Assembly,” Mehdi said.He criticised the BJP for stripping away the rights of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, especially those enshrined under Article 370 and Article 35A, which granted the region a unique autonomous status. The actions of the central government had undermined the democratic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and it was only natural that those who “do not believe in democracy” would express frustration over the passing of such resolutions that reflect the will of the people, he said.“The BJP’s frustration over the resolution is not surprising,” Mehdi said, adding that it was clear that those who disregarded democratic values and institutions would be upset when the people of Jammu and Kashmir seek to assert their rights.In addition to discussing political issues, the MP highlighted local infrastructure concerns. He promised to raise the matter of road connectivity in the Tral area with the central government. Specifically, he said there is a poor road condition between Tral and Pahalgam and Tral and Khrew, which were in urgent need of attention.“I will bring these issues to the notice of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. I am hopeful that the central government will look into improving the infrastructure in this region,” he said—(KNO)