The BJP-led Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) rejected a resolution moved by Congress corporator Gourab Chopra to restore statehood to the newly created Union Territory (UT) of J&K.

During the general house meeting on Saturday evening, Chopra moved the resolution to restore statehood to J&K ‘so as to protect the job and land rights’ of people.

BJP members in the general house outrightly rejected the resolution and entered into a verbal duel with Congress and Independent corporators, who were emphasizing on debating the resolution. During heated argument, some corporators asked rivals to ‘go to Pakistan or PoJK’.

Earlier Chopra, who is a corporator from Ward Number 28 of JMC, argued that the general house of the JMC had already passed resolutions to declare a holiday on the birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh and renaming of Jammu University as Maharaja Ghulab Singh University. He demanded that the resolution of restoring the statehood of J&K should be passed and it must be forwarded to the Centre for consideration.

Amid repeated interference of BJP corporators, Chopra argued that without restoring the statehood, the local youth would lose job and land rights. He vociferously demanded passing of the resolution. As there was complete commotion in the house, Mayor Chander Mohan Gupta sought suggestions of the corporators on holding debate on the resolution. As a majority of the members opposed any debate, the house rejected the resolution without any discussion.