NEW DELHI : Making its position clear on the sensitive issue of scrapping Article 370 relating to Jammu and Kashmir, the government today said even if it intended to abolish the ‘transitional and temporary’ arrangement, it can not do so, as it is short of necessary numbers in Parliament for a Constitutional amendment.
The government’s stand on the issue was deftly articulated by Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju in the Rajya Sabha. Responding to supplementaries during Question Hour, the Minister said Article 370 was introduced as a transitional arrangement during the transformative phase of the state and as such it does not give any special status to J&K. “Deletion or abolition of this needs a Constitutional amendment and even if we say, we do not have numbers with us,” Mr Rijiju said, cautiously wading through the controversial territory.
The government’s stand assumes significance as the ruling BJP was also sharing power with the PDP in J&K with both parties having diametrically opposite views on the issue. “My party’s view on the issue is known to everyone. I don’t want to say much,” the Minister said. Under Article 370, half a dozen states enjoy special status, the Minister pointed out, adding, “We are in favour of equal status for all the states.”
(AGENCIES)
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel