“Issue Is Alive”: Omar Abdullah On Article 370 After Winning Jammu Kashmir Elections
After winning a thumbing majority along with his alliance partners in the recently concluded Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said the issue of Article 370 is still alive and one day a new government would change the decision taken by the Narendra Modi government. Omar, the vice president and elected from two Assembly seats, added the political stand on the issue would not change.
Article 370 granted special autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir, allowing it to have its own constitution, flag, and laws, and on August 5, 2019, the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, abrogated Article 370, effectively revoking the state’s special status. Then, the region was reorganised into two Union Territories—Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. The move — which sparked widespread debate, with supporters arguing it would bring integration and development, while critics claimed it undermined regional autonomy and worsened the political situation, — has been a major campaign issue the Assembly elections.
“Our political stand won’t change. We never said that we would be silent on the issue of Article 370 or that it is not an issue for us anymore. But we are not ready to fool people. I have always said that expectations of getting it back from people, who scrapped Article 370, is foolishness,” Omar said in a statement to media.
“That is like deceiving people. But we would keep this issue alive…We hope that one day the government would change, the Prime Minister would change and there would be a government with whom we would be able to talk on this issue and gain something for J&K…,” he added.
However, reacting to the elections in the Union Territory, PM Modi, whose party BJP performed well in the Jammu region, said the elections have been very special as “they were held for the first time after the removal of Articles 370 and 35(A) and witnessed a high turnout, thus showing the people’s belief in democracy”.
In the results announced on Tuesday, PM Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came second with 29 while National Conference’s INDIA alliance partner Indian National Congress secured six seats. Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by former chief minister Mehbooba Muft, who was also an alliance partner of the BJP in the last term of unified Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was able to rake in 3. Jammu & Kashmir People Conference (JPC) of Sajjad Lone managed to win one seat.
Another INDIA alliance member Communist Party of India (Marxist) – CPI(M) has also won seat meanwhile Aam Aadmi Party –(AAP) opened its account in the state. Independents won seven seats.
