Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 29: A private member’s bill seeking amendment to the Consitution of Jammu and Kashmir for replacing the “Governor” with “Sadr-i-Riyasat” (President of the State) was today rejected by the State Legislative Assembly.
The bill, moved by CPI (M) MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, was rejected at the introduction stage.
As per the rules of business of the Assembly, Tarigami sought permission of the House to introduce the Bill which was denied by a voice vote, with the members of the ruling PDP-BJP combine, which enjoys nearly two-third majority, opposing it.
The bill, however, found support from opposition National Conference, Congress and Independent MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid.
As per Tarigami’s bill, the Governor, who is at present appointed by the President of India, would be replaced by Sadr-i-Riyasat. The Sadr-i-Riyasat would have to be a permanent resident of Jammu and Kashmir and should be elected by the Legislative Assembly of the state for a five-year term.
After the Assembly proceedings, Tarigami assailed the PDP, saying the defeat of the bill has exposed the ruling party’s doublespeak.
“If you go through the self rule document of the PDP, you will find that the party in its vision document states that it wants restoration of Sadr-i-Riyasat as was the case before the 6th Amendment of the State Constitution,” he said.
Tarigami said the PDP should “now stop fooling the people on the self rule document as its seriousness and commitment (sic) to it was evident in the Assembly”.
“At least, National Conference in 2000 passed the autonomy resolution as part of its commitment to restoration of greater autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir. What PDP did today was betrayal of the people who have voted for it,” he said.
The PDP’s self rule document on the issue of Sadr-i-Riyasat reads: “Sixth Amendment of the Constitution of the State that undermines its original scheme of a comprehensive and accountable executive (inclusive of the Head of the State) a critical component of self rule, will have to be repealed. Prior to this amendment, the state legislature elected Sadar-e-Riyasat, the head of the State”.
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