New Delhi: Within hours of assuming charge, the Narendra Modi government reiterated that it was open to a debate on the revocation of Article 370, that gives Jammu and Kashmir special status.
Minister of state in the PMO Jitendra Singh said on Tuesday that efforts would be made to “convince” the “unconvinced,” adding, “If we do not have a debate and discussion, how would you be able to tell those unable to understand what they have been deprived of on account of Article 370.”
Mr Singh said that state BJP was speaking to various stake holders.
“We have called meetings in the Kashmir Valley and we have succeeded in convincing some of them (on repealing Article 370),” he said.
The Union minister, suggested that people in the state were also in favour of repealing the article.
“If you take voter account, we have more that 50 per cent of vote share,” he said.
Singh said talks will be held with every stakeholder of the state as all are “equally important” and reminded that the founding fathers including the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru were of the view that it is going to be a transient provision”.
The issue had been raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an election rally in December last year.
Mr Singh’s remarks drew a sharp reaction from Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who said “Talk of revocation is not just ill-informed, it is irresponsible.” He also added that Article 370 was the “only constitutional link” between the state and the rest of the country.
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti also criticised Mr Singh’s remarks.
Reacting to Mr Singh’s statement Omar Abdullah tweeted, “So the new MoS PMO says process/discussions to revoke Article 370 have started. Wow, that was a quick beginning. Not sure who is talking.”
“Mark my words, long after the Modi Government is a distant memory either J&K won’t be part of India or Article 370 will still exist,” he added.
Mehbooba Mufti of the PDP said, “Mr Singh should realise that his newly-acquired position as a junior minister comes with responsibilities. The PM should intervene to discipline him. The PMO must clarify the statement to reassure the people that no mischief is on its way.”
