Heated debates erupted in the Jammu Legislative Assembly between the ruling National Conference and Opposition BJP members regarding Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. Chaos ensued when National Conference MLA Javid Baig raised the issue of special status for J&K. In response, Leader of Opposition (LoP) and BJP MLA Sunil Sharma refuted the existence of such a status, challenging the mention of “special status” in the Indian Constitution.
The verbal clash escalated as National Conference MLAs voiced support for Article 370, while BJP MLAs countered with slogans of their own, leading to a brief period of commotion. The special status of J&K was revoked by Parliament on August 5, 2019, through the abrogation of Article 370. This decision also resulted in the bifurcation of J&K into two Union Territories – J&K and Ladakh.
Following the resignation of then Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti in June 2017, central rule was imposed in the region until August 2019, when President’s Rule was lifted on October 13, 2024, paving the way for an elected government. After the 2024 Assembly elections, Omar Abdullah assumed the role of Chief Minister of J&K. The National Conference, with 41 members in the 90-seat Assembly, is supported by the Congress with 6 members from outside the government.
