Rajnath Singh
Union home minister and former BJP president Rajnath Singh said on Wednesday that abrogation of Article 370 is a debatable national issue; hence should not be raked up for votebank politics during the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.
He added that all the BJP wants is a discussion on the issue and acknowledges the right of the people of the state to take final call on it. He said, “It is being said that the BJP will repeal Article 370 and we are being asked to clear our stand on it. All we want is discussion,” he said while speaking at a BJP election rally at Paddar, a remote area of Kishtwar segment of the Chenab valley.
Mr Singh said no one should have any objection to what the BJP says about Article 370. He asked, “Don’t people in a democracy even have the right to talk about it. The people will decide whether Article 370 has benefited them or not.”
The statement comes close on the heels of some of the BJP leaders publicly reiterating that the party is committed to repeal the constitutional provision to pave the way for complete integration of the state in the country.
One of them, Subramanian Swamy, even claimed Article 370 was a temporary clause and could be done away with by a Union Cabinet resolution. But his and similar statements by some other senior BJP leaders evoked a sharp reaction in the state, particularly the Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley where the BJP is trying hard to have a foothold to make its 44+ mission a reality to grab power.
Mr Singh’s assertion only indicates that the party wants to put the contentious issue on the backburner even if it is not dragging its feet on it that after realising any harsh talk on its at this stage could have an adverse impact on its election prospects. BJP vice-president Ramesh Arora also said here that it will not press for the abrogation of Article 370. However, it is yet to be seen if the party remains silent on Article 370, also in its election manifesto, which is likely to be released in a few days’ time.
The home minister said, “It (Article 370) is (a) national issue. It is debatable. The BJP’s stand on it is clear. There is no need to rake up this issue during Assembly polls.” He said the BJP would instead focus on good governance devoid of corruption, development and making J&K a model of peace and development.
He added the BJP was ready for a debate on abrogation of Article 370 but in the Assembly elections “our focus is on good governance and development”.
Earlier during the day, another senior party leader and Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda said that the BJP was confident of accomplishing its +44 Mission as the people of the state were increasingly reposing faith in the party. “BJP is fighting the Assembly elections in J&K with a special strategy to come to power in the state. BJP is confident of accomplishing its +44 Mission,” he told reporters in Jammu. He added, “We’re watching enthusiasm and love of the people for BJP during our campaigning for some time now. People have created a wave-like effect for BJP in J&K.”
Meanwhile, the EC on Wednesday issued notification for the fourth of the 5-phased State Assembly elections for 18 constituencies going to polls on December 14. It will be the last one for Kashmir Valley where sixteen Assembly segments spread over three districts of Srinagar, Anantnag and Shopian will go to polls. The remaining two segments are Samba and Vijaypur in Jammu division.