New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha today passed the historic Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Bill, 2019, that seeks to bifurcate Jammu and Kashmir into two which are Jammu and Kashmir and the other Ladakh. While Jammu and Kashmir will be a Union Territory with a Legislative Assembly, Ladakh will be a Union Territory with out an assembly.
The government was able to pass the Bill in Rajya Sabha with a clear majority of 125 with only 61 votes against it.
Rajya Sabha today was filled with dramatic moments from morning itself. All hell broke loose when Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared that the government had scrapped Article 370 with the notification from the President. Thus, the special status enjoyed by Jammu and Kashmir came to an abrupt end.
Shah then introduced the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Bill, 2019, and a debate ensued. Though, Congress opposed the Bill tooth and nail, parties like Chandrababu’s Telugu Desham Party and AIADMK extended its support to the Bill.
The Bill was subsequently tabled in Lok Sabha as well. However, the discussion and voting is slated for tomorrow. With a comfortable majority in the Lower House, the government would not find it difficult to get the Bill passed tomorrow.
