Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 11: As former Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti today named two BJP MLAs including Rajesh Gupta and Gagan Bhagat saying they have raised their voice in defence of Article 35-A, Gupta immediately countered the charge and demanded an unconditional apology from Mehbooba for defaming an elected representative saying he is a nationalist person and has never defended the Article 35-A.
Mehbooba said defending the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was not confined to a particular region or religion anymore as the people of the State have realised its importance and sanctity.
She was referring to the reports of two of BJP MLAs from Jammu region coming out in support of Article 35-A, which is facing a legal challenge in the Supreme Court.
“Heartening to know that two MLAs from BJP, Rajesh Gupta followed by Dr Gagan (Bhagat), have raised their voice in defence of Article 35-A. Defending the special status of J-K is not confined to a region or religion anymore. People of the State have realised its importance & sanctity,” Mehbooba wrote on twitter.
The former Chief Minister said while her Government had fought the case legally in the Supreme Court, she “stood alone” in the political battle emphasizing that any dilution of Article 35-A would set the State on fire.
“Today I feel relieved that regardless of political views or affiliations, we are all on the same page as far as protecting the special status of J-K is concerned,” Mehbooba wrote.
In the evening, BJP City East MLA Rajesh Gupta along with party’s chief spokesperson, Advocate Sunil Sethi, at a joint press conference, said Mehbooba has tried to tarnish the image of an elected representative by making a false statement that Gupta has spoken in defence of Article 35-A.
Gupta clarified that he is a nationalistic person and will never speak against interests of the State and the nation. He said he can never go against the party line. He made it clear that he has never supported Article 35-A.
“Article 35-A has only dented the image of Jammu and Kashmir. Because of this Article, Gorkhas, Valmikis, women, West Pakistani refugees and others are devoid of their basic rights,’’ Gupta said.
He added that the BJP will bring the issue to the notice of the Legislative Assembly Speaker as an attempt has been made to dent image of one MLA by another MLA.
Sunil Sethi also sought unconditional apology from Mehbooba Mufti for posting “false and defamatory comments’’ on social media. She added that the former Chief Minister must acknowledge her mistake in writing or, otherwise, the BJP can proceed to file defamatory suit against her.
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