Jammu, Mar 11: National Conference (NC) supremo Omar Abdullah has issued his party's whip to all its legislative council members of the party to ensure smooth passage of Permanent Resident (Disqualification) Bill 2004 and warned that any violation of the whip will entail action as per the provisions of the Anti-Defection Law. On the eve of upper house proceedings today, Abdullah said, he expected all right thinking parties and people irrespective of their political leanings and belief to ensure that nothing whatsoever erodes or dilutes Article 370 of the constitution, for it alone guarantees special status to the people of the state, which must not be compromised at all. Addressing a meeting of NC members of the council, he said that PDP must vote for Permanent Resident (Disqualification) Bill 2004 along with NC to ensure its smooth passage in the upper house and desist from its usual habit of succumbing to pressures to stay in power as demonstrated on numerous occasions by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed in the past one and a half year.
The NC chief said his party has consistently demonstrated its resolve to uphold, protect and preserve sanctity of Article 370 of the constitution and shall continue to do so irrespective of the consequences.

NC President further said PDP President Mehbooba mufti should instead of indulging in political rhetoric, explain the 'secret' understanding that it seems to have with the Congress by virtue of which Congress President Sonia Gandhi stated that Pr Bill has been referred to the select committee thereby delivering a verdict on the fate of the bill much before it has been taken up for discussion in the upper house. He made it clear that decision on the fate of the bill has to be taken in the council by its members and not by any extra constitutional authority sitting in Delhi.


Bureau Report