Flip-flop continues on Article 370: Amit Shah says only BJP can bring complete integration of J&K

Ramban (JK), Nov 20: Only BJP can bring about "complete integration" of Jammu and Kashmir with rest of India, party chief Amit Shah today said, without directly raking up its pet theme of abrogation of Article 370 that gives special status to the state. "These elections are crucial as far as the complete integration of the state of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country is concerned.

Only a BJP government can make it happen," he said while addressing an election rally in support of party candidate Neelam Langeh in Ramban. BJP, for which abrogation of Article 370 has been one of the core issues, has soft-pedalled the issue in the current elections.

But BJP and the Sangh Parivar have always maintained that there can be "completely integration" of Jammu and Kashmir with the country only when Article 370 of the Constitution is scrapped. Reaching out to people of Chenab valley, Shah sought their support to realise the dream of "complete integration of the state with rest of the country".

"We want complete integration of the state of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country and the people of the state will have to help us in realising this dream," he said. Hitting out at Congress and NC for "lack of development" in J-K in the past six decades, the BJP President demanded an enquiry into utilisation of funds in the state.

Appealing the people to help the party achieve its mission 44+ in the state, Shah said that if people of the state want development, good governance and employment, they must vote for BJP. "Narendra Modi has a dream for this state to develop it. To bring development to the doorsteps of the people and now it's your turn to help us achieve our mission of 44+ in the state assembly," Shah said. BJP is targeting to win at least 44 seats in the 87-member Assembly.

PTI