The Lok Sabha on Friday adopted a statutory resolution that approved President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir. The proclamation for the same was issued by President on December 19 under Article 356 of the Constitution of India. The resolution was moved by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and was passed in the Lok Sabha by voice vote.
Also, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan allowed the members to express their views on the crucial issue.
The major opposition parties called the imposition of Governor’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir as “unconstitutional”.
Congress Leader Shashi Tharoor came down heavily on the move and called Governor Satya Mal Malik‘s action a “gross violation” of the Supreme Court verdict in the S.R. Bommai case. The verdict stated that it can only be decided by a floor test in the assembly that an alliance enjoys majority or not. He also called Malik’s decision as a “violation” of the Sarkaria commission’s guidelines on Centre-state relations.
Trinamool Congress leader Saugata Roy also called Malik’s decision as “arbitrary” and “unconstitutional”.
AIADMK leader P. Venugopal expressed dissent over the imposition of governor’s rule and asked the Centre to explain the reasons for doing so. He called it an “extreme” step.
NCP leader Supriya Sule said that it is not the time for bullets in Jammu and Kashmir, but to hold elections there.
BJD Leader Bhartruhari Majtab supported the resolution calling it “necessary” and said that the main regional parties– NC and PDP boycotted the panchayat polls in the state.
The proclamation issued by the President on December 19 observed that there is a situation in which the government of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of India.
It stated that the powers of the Jammu and Kashmir legislature should be under the “authority of Parliament”.