Art 370 a commitment to people of J&K, should be honoured: Mehbooba Mufti

The chief minister said that dialogue is the only way forward to resolve the Kashmir issue and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has a "huge mandate", can create history by changing the narrative

Srinagar, November 4: Article 370 of the Constitution, which guarantees special status to the state, is the nation's commitment to the people of J-K and should be honoured, said Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.

The chief minister said that dialogue is the only way forward to resolve the Kashmir issue and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has a "huge mandate", can create history by changing the narrative on Jammu and Kashmir.

"Article 370 is the nation's commitment to the people of J-K and therefore should be honoured, the PDP chief wrote on Twitter.

Her statement comes in the backdrop of a raging debate over the special provision, with calls for revocation of the Article along with Article 35A - relating to special rights and privileges of permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir.

In another tweet, Mehbooba said, "Democracy is a battle of ideas and dialogue is the only way forward."

She also batted for re-opening traditional routes for reviving economic activities, saying the country should take advantage of the state s geostrategic location.

Mehbooba said, "The country should take advantage of J&K s geostrategic location and revive its traditional routes to foster greater economic activity."

PTI