Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Nov 6 : Taking a strong exception to utterances by some of the leaders of so-called mainstream Kashmir – centric political parties like PDP and National Conference, without naming them, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh categorically stated here today that no political party in India can ever afford to restore Article 370 and the unsubstantiated assertions made by these leaders are only motivated by a desperate attempt to hold back the ground which is fast slipping from under their feet.
Dr Jitendra Singh, in an interview to a national TV Channel, dared Congress to make its stand clear on the issue, and if it has the courage and conviction, let it go for the ensuing elections for District Development Council (DDC) in Jammu & Kashmir and for the State Assembly in Bihar with the slogan that it will restore Article 370, if voted to power at the Centre. Pertinent to mention that Mehbooba Mufti had, while addressing her workers, stated that time will come when whichever will be the political party in power, it will be compelled to restore Article 370 and also forced to give concessions beyond Article 370.
Dr Jitendra Singh alleged that even the bogey of autonomy is raised by the leaders of National Conference only when out of power. He said, the leadership of National Conference owes an explanation to the people of Jammu & Kashmir that when the autonomy resolution put forward by the then National Conference Government in the erstwhile State of J&K was summarily rejected by the then Vajpayee Government at the Centre, why Farooq Abdullah did not find it appropriate to resign and instead chose to continue as Chief Minister while his son continued as a Junior Minister in the Vajpayee Government.
Let us not forget, said Dr Jitendra Singh, that the decision to abrogate Article 370 was passed by the Parliament of India which also has the Members of Parliament representing National Conference and PDP. If indeed, they are sincerely against the decision taken by the Parliament, why do they not, for the sake of minimum propriety, resign from their seats in Parliament so that the people may trust them for what they are saying, he asked.
Accusing the so-called mainstream political parties of Kashmir and their leaders of having their cake and eating it too, he said, this craft of double – speak and change of stance overnight for political expediency is now meeting with the fate of diminishing returns. He said, three generations down the line, common masses are now wary of this jugglery and are not ready to be hoodwinked any longer.
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