Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Nov 26: Stating that BJP led Union Government is not interested in restoring full statehood to the Jammu and Kashmir, J&K Pradesh Congress Committee chief, Tariq Hameed Karra today claimed that Centre is planning to retain some vital departments considered as the backbone of any state.
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Karra said the Congress will not accept any amendment and continue to press for restoration of full statehood to the Jammu and Kashmir as early as possible.
Talking to media-persons on the sidelines of a public rally held in Rajouri today, Karra said they have information that some powerful persons in the Central Government are not willing to restore statehood in its original form to J&K.
“They (BJP Govt) want to retain some vital departments which are the backbone and fountain head of any state and seek some amendments to keep these departments under their direct control. Such statehood is not acceptable to the Congress,” the JKPCC chief said.
When asked about the stand of Congress on Article 370 that was abrogated by the BJP-led government in August 2019, Karra said the party has already taken a principled stand on the subject by terming the government action as “unilateral and undemocratic”. “The Congress Working Committee (CWC) met on August 6, 2019 and passed a resolution which is self-explanatory. The resolution condemned the Government action in the strongest words, calling it undemocratic and unilateral.
“They have no right to take such a step without consulting the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Karra said.
He said the Supreme Court verdict on the issue has left the parties struggling for restoration of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir. “Our only demand is restoration of statehood and our stand is realistic based on the decision of the Supreme Court. We fought the elections on the demand of restoration of statehood and we will continue our struggle for its restoration,” he said.
In response to a question that the ruling National Conference (NC) is pushing for restoration of Article 370, he said NC and the Congress fought the Assembly elections together but “we both had our own manifesto”.
“It is not only in J&K or between Congress and National Conference, alliance partners come together but fight elections on their own manifesto. This is also true with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Neither they (NC) fought the elections on our manifesto, nor we fought the elections on their manifesto,” Karra claimed.
On the Fact Finding Committee constituted on the dismal performance of the party in the recently held Assembly polls in J&K, PCC chief said the committee is finalising its report on the completion of one month and it will be available shortly.
Senior leaders Tara Chand, Raman Bhalla, Ch Lal Singh, Ravinder Sharma, Ved Mahajan, Shabir Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed (MLA) and others were also present on the occasion.
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