Uddhav Thackeray wants the government to repeal Article 370 instead of wasting time by holding discussions over it.
Even as the newly formed BJP government wants a debate pertaining to the repealing of Article 370 which grants autonomy to Jammu & Kashmir, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray has taken an aggressive stand and has asked the government to take action on this issue instead of having a discussion. A war of words have already begun between the RSS and Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister as the former said that the state will continue to remain an integral part of India with or without article 370. Omar Abdullah had earlier opposed the abrogation of article 370 and also had said that it serves as a crucial link between Jammu & Kashmir’s accession to India.
Uddhav Thackeray said that time has come for the government to take action on Article 370. “There is no time for discussion. NDA government should now take action on Article 370.”
Shiv Sena chief’s reaction came in the backdrop after political parties like National Conference and PDP made strong objection after the statement made by MoS in PMO, Jeetendra Singh.
Minister of State in the PMO, had said, “His (Modi’s) intention and that of the government is that we have a debate so that we can convince the unconvinced about the disadvantages of Article 370.”
Last year, when Narendra Modi had campaigned in Jammu he had called for a debate about whether residents of the state have benefitted from Article 370. On the other hand, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has said that he will support the article if Kashmiri people have benefited from it. The RSS has however softened its stand over abrogation of Article 370 and said that it is ready for a debate on this issue. The organisation which has always supported abrogation of Article 370, welcomed an open-ended debate on the issue.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said it was impossible for the BJP to repeal Article 370 as it would require a constitutional amendment with two-third majority in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Later, two third of majority from the Jammu & Kashmir assembly too is required which is a difficult task. He said that confusion was being deliberately created on the issue which would further alienate the people of the state.
Omar said the Centre should strengthen its relationship with the state, but such a move will further alienate the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “While you want to strengthen ties with people here, these statements will push away people,” Abdullah had said.
