JK BJP unit demands abrogation of Article 370

Jammu, Oct 10 (UNI) J and K Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nirmal Singh today criticised the ''self-rule'' ideas of People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti and advocated abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution.

''Article 370 must be abrogated. It has not only kept the state aloof from the national mainstream but also deprived the people of their civil and political rights,'' Dr Singh said in a statement relase here.

The BJP leader ridiculed the suggestion of the PDP president that restoration of Article 370 to its original position would lead to the establishment of ''self-rule'' in the state.

He alleged that the article was incorporated in the Constitution to empower the ruling elite in the valley to exercise absolute legislative and executive powers and harm the general political and democratic rights of the people.

He further said Article 370 was basically designed to prevent the Union government from taking any action against the valley leaders, whose activities all along had been harmful.

Dr Singh reminded the PDP of its anti-Jammu activities during the time it led the coalition government in the state.

He said, ''Who is not aware of the fact that it was the PDP, which opposed tooth and nail Jammu's demand for the creation of three additional districts there and for a parity between the two regions in the secretariat, in the regional services of the state in technical and professional institutions and other vital spheres such as service sector and economic institutions.'' The BJP state chief said the only solution to the problems being faced by the people of Jammu and Ladakh and other religions and ethnic minorities such as the internally displaced Kashmiri hindus lay in the abrogation of Article 370 and application of the Union Constitution to the state in full.

UNI HGV PR DB2016