Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday strongly reacted to the Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi's statements on bringing back Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, saying such a move would never be approved by the country. Singh was addressing the 'Shilp Didi Mahotsav' at Dilli Haat.
The comment followed a press conference by Gandhi in Srinagar, where he said that his Congress party and its allies in the INDIA bloc considered the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir among their priorities.
Gandhi said, "It is the aim of Congress that people of Jammu and Kashmir as well as Ladakh get their democratic rights back."
“It is on Rahul Gandhi’s mind. He is thinking about restoring Article 370 in Kashmir but this will never be accepted by the country,” Textile Minister Singh told reporters when asked for his comments on the sidelines of the ‘Shilp Didi Mahotsav’ at Dilli Haat here.
Taking a swipe at Gandhi, the senior BJP leader said the Congress leader looked jaded ever since he was asked about his “religion and caste”.
Abolishing Article 370, the central government did away with the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the state into two Union territories—one called Jammu and Kashmir and the second called Ladakh.
Congress, on its part, broadly demanded the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir but did not spell out its stand on the abrogation of its special status.
Reacting to Gandhi's visit to the region, BJP general secretary and J-K in-charge Tarun Chugh said the Congress leader should explain his party's stand on Articles 370 and 35A.
Article 370 and 35A have already emerged as central issues among political parties as voting for the 90-member assembly approaches.
The BJP questioned Gandhi publicly, wondering what his stance was regarding the now-abrogated Article 370; the Congress party reaffirmed that it is committed to restoring democratic rights for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. While Congress has avoided specific mentions of Article 370.
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