“Theatrics won’t restore statehood”: Sajad Lone Slams CM’s signature campaign

Srinagar : Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone on Friday launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over his announcement of carrying out a signature campaign on statehood, saying it is “theatrics” and has “no legal or constitutional sanctity”.

In a post on X, as per news agency Lone said that “door-to-door signature campaign is nothing but theatrics.”

“We are facing a battle of a lifetime. Door-to-door signature campaign is nothing but theatrics. Tell me, is the Supreme Court answerable to majoritarian assertions or to law? Majoritarianism is something which we politicians practice. The Supreme Court practices law. Please don’t start a process in which we may end up being seen as trying to scare the Supreme Court by majoritarian muscularity. Signature campaign or an Assembly resolution—which one is the more dignified way to approach the Supreme Court?” Lone asked.

Lone said his party will support any movement towards statehood.

“But please don’t make a mockery of statehood. We are already reeling under the impact of a ‘Tom, Dick, and Harry’ approaching the Supreme Court. Let us approach the Supreme Court as a constitutional entity, not as another ‘Tom, Dick, and Harry.’ Signature campaigns have no legal or constitutional sanctity,” he said.

Lone also questioned Omar Abdullah for what he termed as his reluctance to have a resolution for statehood passed in the Legislative Assembly.

“Can CM sahib please, once and for all times to come, explain his reluctance to have a resolution for statehood passed in the Legislative Assembly?” he said, adding that the Legislative Assembly is a constitutional body elected through an election.

He, however, added that “resolutions are not binding on the Supreme Court, but inherent in them will be constitutional dignity.”

“It will be a constitutional message to the highest court in the country. Political or signature campaigns have no legal or constitutional sanctity. Name one event, empirically, in India or in the rest of the world where signature campaigns have altered legal interpretations. They are not even admissible. Assembly resolutions reflect the will of the people unambiguously,” Lone said.

Lone said that the signature campaign of Yassin Malik didn’t yield anything.

“Signature campaign for independence was carried out by Yasin Malik also. How far did that campaign go?” Lone asked.

Lone also accused Omar Abdullah of showing contempt and disdain for the Assembly.

“And incidentally, CM sahib, you derive your power, perks, and Chief Ministerial position from the Assembly. Why show such disregard, disdain, and contempt for the very institution that has made you the CM?” he said.

Lone asked the CM why he didn’t ensure that some sort of resolution passed by the Assembly was sent to the Supreme Court.

“I don’t want to score brownie points. But I am asking you, CM sahib—where were you sleeping? Where was your government sleeping? Why didn’t you ensure that some sort of resolution is sent to the Supreme Court? It was your duty. You are the CM. Are you the CM just to enjoy the perks of power and not accept the responsibility that comes with it? And instead of showing remorse for being late in passing a resolution, you want to bypass it yet again,” he said.

Lone strongly advocated passing a resolution in state Assembly before approaching the Supreme Court.

“I would strongly assert that passing a resolution in the State Assembly is the most dignified way to approach the Supreme Court. Don’t set the stage for denial of statehood. Act like a leader. Don’t throw tantrums. There seem to be no takers for tantrums. Act (as per) your age and stature. Put an end to theatrics. This is a real ideological battle. This is not a video game,” he said.

Lone also questioned Omar Abdullah on whether he was shielding the BJP by giving them the luxury of not taking a position on statehood.

“And before I end, please tell me—are you shielding and protecting the state BJP and giving them the luxury of not taking a position on statehood by not passing a resolution on statehood?” he asked—(KNO)