"Illegal, unconstitutional": BJP's Tarun Chugh slams NC over resolution on Article 370 restoration

New Delhi: BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh on Thursday hit out at the National Conference (NC) over the resolution demanding the restoration of Article 370, terming it as "illegal and unconstitutional."

A resolution opposing the revocation of Article 370 and restoring the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was passed in the first session of the newly elected assembly in the Union Territory by a voice vote.

Calling the resolution against the constitutional and democratic traditions, Chugh underscored that Articles 370 and 35A were abrogated by the "biggest panchayat of India."

"The resolution brought by National Conference in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly is illegal, unconstitutional, against the constitutional and democratic traditions. Articles 370 and 35A were abrogated by the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, the biggest panchayat of India, on 5th August 2019, and the Supreme Court of the country put its stamp on its end," Tarun Chugh told ANI. 

He further questioned Congress party's stand on the issue which is a part of the alliance with NC in Jammu and Kashmir.

"What is the stand of Congress? The country wants to know. Is Congress with NC on their proposal to bring back Articles 370 and 35A or against them?" the BJP leader added.

"Bharatiya Janata Party will not let democracy be killed in Jammu and Kashmir, it will not let it happen," he said 

He further stated that his party MLA in Jammu and Kashmir are facing "anti-national forces" by being the warriors of the country.

"All the BJP MLAs in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly are facing anti-national forces by becoming the warriors of the country. We will not back down.," he stated.   

"No power in the world can bring Article 370 and 35A back, it had become history," he added.

Earlier, a ruckus ensued in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly on Friday, the third day in a row, after People's Democratic Party (PDP) MLA from Kupwara exhibited a banner in support of the restoration of Article 370 in the union territory.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs raised slogans and clashed with fellow members, including Engineer Rashid's brother and Awami Ittehad Party MLA Sheikh Khursheed over a banner he was carrying.

BJP MLAs were seen entering the well of the House along with Khurshid Ahmad Sheikh and were marshalled out of the House on the orders of Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather.

On November 6, amid the ruckus, the resolution was passed on Wednesday by a voice vote, with all parties barring the BJP supporting it.

However, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah stated that the resolution was introduced merely "for the cameras" and holds no real significance. He added that if there had been a genuine intention behind the resolution, it should have been discussed with the National Conference.

Notably, the restoration of Article 370 and Jammu and Kashmir's statehood as well as the implementation of the autonomy resolution was one of the main promises made by the National Conference in its manifesto for the Jammu-Kashmir elections.