Article 370 caused immense loss to J&K: Rajnath
BJP chief Rajnath Singh today said Article 370 of the Constitution giving special status to the state had caused it “immense loss”. “The laws made by the Centre are not implemented in the state due to the Article 370. The panchayats could not get power as 73rd amendment to Constitution did not come into force in Jammu and Kashmir thereby stopping the development at grass-roots level” Rajnath said. Addressing an election rally on the last day of campaigning for the Udhampur-Doda seat, the BJP president said the party would welcome the special status granted to the state if any political organisation could list the advantages of the Article. Rajnath said his party was against any sort of “appeasement” and was rather focused on development of people. “We are determined to get development to the doorsteps of poor,” he said. The senior leader, however, said his party was concerned about the progress of J&K and if Article 370 helped the state grow, the BJP would accept it wholeheartedly. “We want Jammu and Kashmir to progress on a par with other states. If J&K grows because of Article 370 then we have no objection to keeping it,” Rajnath said. He said J&K was important to the party as the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee, sacrificed his life for the Kashmir cause. The BJP’s Jitendra Singh is facing a direct challenge from Congress leader and Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in the Udhampur-Doda segment, which is scheduled to go to the polls on April 17. Rajnath also raised the issue of killing of panches and sarpanches in the state. He alleged that the government had failed to provide security to the elected panchayat representatives. “Everyday sarpanches and panches are being killed in Jammu and Kashmir, but instead of providing security to its citizens, the government only cries for Article 370,” he said. The BJP president also made an attempt to woo the refugees living in the state by lashing out at the National Conference and the Congress for their “deplorable condition”. “The NC and the Congress have failed to solve the problems of migrants and refugees for the last four decades,” Rajnath alleged. He endorsed BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s views that those who have not been able to uplift the refugees living in the state in 40 years have “no right to stay in power” at the Centre and in the state. “Have you heard of any country where people are even struggling for basic rights for more than 40 years?” Rajnath asked. “The BJP will work towards the resolution of refugees’ problems and give them the right to vote by bringing a rehabilitation policy for them,” he added. Pointing out at the “soft approach” of the Congress-led UPA towards terrorism, the senior leader said: “We want good relations with our neighbouring countries, but not at the stake of our sovereignty and integrity.” “The Congress-led UPA was responsible for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state, increasing cross-border terrorism and barbaric killing of Indian soldiers on the Line of Control,” he said. Rajnath also expressed serious concern over the economic crisis and rampant corruption in the country. “Corruption is a disease. If India is to be made corruption-free, it should be first made Congress-free,” the BJP leader said. Rajnath also said secularism meant development for the BJP, while it meant vote bank politics for the Congress. Comparing the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government with the UPA, Rajnath said: “The Congress has not given anything to the country. On the contrary, one has to see the approach and vision adopted by the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who created hope among the people of J&K.” Rajnath urged people to vote for the BJP candidate and strengthen Modi’s hands. What BJP president promised
- We are determined to get development to the doorsteps of poor
- We want Jammu and Kashmir to progress on a par with other states. If J&K grows because of the Article 370 then we have no objection to keeping it.
- The BJP will work towards the resolution of refugees’ problems and give them the right to vote by bringing a rehabilitation policy for them.
- We want good relations with our neighbouring countries, but not at the stake of our sovereignty and integrity.
(Source:https://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140416/j&k.htm#3)