Srinagar, Oct 10: State’s main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Wednesday accused National Conference founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah of making a sellout of J&K’s autonomy under Constitutional Order of 1950 in lieu of Prime Minister’s post.
“National Conference is once again befooling people by claiming that they are the champions protecting State’s autonomy,” PDP senior leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig told media persons after the Autumn session of Legislative Assembly ended here.
Baig was responding to senior National Conference leader and Minister for Rural Development Ali Muhammad Sagar’s response to the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.
Sagar had yesterday ruled out extending 73rd amendment of Indian Constitution to J&K.
“The first order under which more than 75 percent of the State’s autonomy was surrendered to New Delhi was signed by Sheikh under Constitutional Order of 1950,” Baig said. “Sheikh Sahib was the first person to make a sellout of JK’s autonomy after he was made Prime Minister in 1950 and that too without enjoying support of any elected member.”
The senior PDP leader said when JK signed instrument of accession with New Delhi, government of India had right only over defense, communication and external affairs. He said rest of powers was lying with the State.
“However, when Sheikh Sahab came to power he removed the restrictions laid by the Maharaja on New Delhi of having jurisdiction only on defense, communication and external affairs,” Baig said. “Sheikh Sahab violated it and thus surrendered the autonomy.”
Quoting Sagar, Baig said the nomenclature of J&K Prime Minister and Sadr-e-Riyasat was changed to Chief Minister and Governor in 1965.
“The changes in the state constitution were approved by the state legislature and as per the section 147 of J&K Constitution our legislature had powers to re-elect the Sadr-e-Riyasat and Governor,” Baig said. “This was given in the constitution of J&K.”
Baig said however when Sheikh Abdullah came to power he “surrendered” the State legislature’s powers to re-elect Sadr-e-Riyasat.
“He did it on terms of New Delhi and in lieu of power,” Baig said. “He gave in writing that the State legislature will have no right to change the powers and position enjoyed by the Governor till it has approval of the President of India.”
Baig said in 1975 Sheikh made a “sellout of whatever little constitutional autonomy” was enjoyed by Jammu and Kashmir.
Baig continued that after coming to power, Sheikh extended provisions of the Constitution of India to J&K.
“It was done under the second amendment order of 1975 on July 23. This time Sheikh Sahab was in power,” Baig said.
He read out the amendment: “No law made by the legislature of the State of Jammu and Kashmir seeking to make any change in or in the effect of any provision of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir relating to appointment, powers, function, duties, emoluments, allowance, privileges or immunities of the Governor shall have any effect unless such law has, after having been reserved for the consideration of the President, received his assent.”
He said: “The last nail in the coffin of the autonomy came by Sheikh Sahab in 1975.
Baig took on Sagar for ‘misleading’ the House yesterday. “It was all lie and breach of privilege. He tried to hide the sins committed by them (NC).”

Lastupdate on : Wed, 10 Oct 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 10 Oct 2012 18:30:00 GMT
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