Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 25: In the wake of renewed rhetoric over Article 370 after flapping stance during elections, National Conference Provincial President Devender Singh Rana posed a direct question to People’s Democratic Party as to what is its call on the coalition partner seeking abrogation of constitutional guarantee to Jammu and Kashmir.
“There are strong suspicions about PDP having entered into a deal with BJP over this sensitive issue”, he said while addressing the party workers, adding that periodic pro-Kashmir posturing is just a farce and a façade.
Prominent among those present included former minister Babu Rampal besides Thakur Mohinder Singh.
Mr Rana said that the apprehensions of National Conference about PDP taking a lead role in weakening the special status were proving right as the two coalition partners were just playing a fixed match to make PDP relevant in Kashmir scenario so that decks are cleared for abrogation of this special provision, which is the only strong link between the state and the Indian domain.
He said Article 370 stands custodian of the legitimate rights of the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh and those crying hoarse over it were actually creating confusion to proceed ahead in their sinister machinations. “Therefore, it is for the PDP to clarify as to whether it has become a willing partner in BJP’s hidden agenda on PDP”, he added.
Referring to observations of a senior RSS Pracharak about debate over the efficacy of Article 370, the Provincial President reminded that the National Conference was, in fact, pioneer of seeking a public discourse on it. He said the Working President Omar Abdullah is on record having offered a debate.
The Provincial President said the BJP has exploited public sentiment, especially in Jammu over Article 370 by pretending to be the Messihas of Jammuties and added that the people have now realized that the rhetoric was just to get glued to power. He said the BJP had been using this Constitutional necessity to hoodwink the people in mistaken belief of their being ignorant or politically naive.
He said the Article 370 is a constitutional commitment and any attempt to change the spirit or commitment of the national will amount to betrayal of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, which shall be resisted tooth and nail by the National Conference.
Mr Rana dwelt in length over the background and political significance of Article 370 and said this constitutional guarantee can neither be scrapped, as is being day dreamed by some.
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