As the Congress vehemently opposed the abrogation of Article 370, the constitutional provision that accorded special status to Jammu and Kashmir, some party leaders raised voices of dissent and supported the government move.
‘In Our Country’s Interest’
Senior Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia, on Tuesday, 6 August, said he supports move on Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, and Kashmir's full integration into Union of India.
Scindia tweeted, “Would have been better if constitutional process was followed. This is in country's interest and I support this.”
‘Historical Mistake Corrected’
Congress leader Janardan Dwivedi said a "historical mistake" has been corrected by the government.
Dwivedi said it is a matter of national satisfaction that a “mistake” done at the time of Independence has been corrected.
"It is a very old issue. After Independence, many freedom fighters did not want Article 370 to remain. I had my political training under Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, who was against this Article. Personally, this is an issue of a matter of satisfaction for the nation,” said Dwivedi.
He clarified that his opinion was personal and not that of his party.
Dwivedi, who remained AICC general secretary (organisation) for a long time, has been taking stands on many issues which are at variance with that of the party. He had also welcomed demonetisation.
‘No Place for Article 370 in 21 Century’
Reacting to the development, Deepender Hooda said, "I've always maintained that Article 370 should be scrapped. It has no place in the 21st century. Abrogation of this Article is in the interest of national integrity and the people of J&K which is an integral part of India. However, the onus of peaceful implementation of this transition in a trustworthy environment lies on the incumbent government."
‘...Jobs For Kashmiri Youth and Justice For Kashmiri Pandits’
Mumbai Congress chief Milind Deora said it was "very unfortunate" that Article 370 was being converted into a "liberal vs conservative debate".
"Parties should put aside ideological fixations & debate what's best for India's sovereignty and federalism, peace in J&K, jobs for Kashmiri youth and justice for Kashmiri Pandits," he said in a tweet.
"Abolishing Article 370 of the Indian Constitution could well be dubbed Modi Sarkar 2.0's demonetisation moment.
"For the sake of peace and development in Jammu & Kashmir, I hope this decision plays out more favourably than demonetisation did," Deora noted.
‘In Absolute Support of Abrogating Article 370’
Congress MLA from Raebareli, Aditi Singh also said on Twitter, "United we stand! Jai Hind. #Article370." When someone reminded her that she was a Congress leader, Singh replied back, saying, "Main ek Hindustani hoon (I am an Indian)." She termed it a historic decision and urged people not to politicise it.
She told reporters, "I am in absolute support of the decision."
Meanwhile, sources told PTI the top Congress leadership was learnt to be peeved at the comments of the party's leader in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, questioning whether Jammu and Kashmir was an internal matter as the issue was being monitored by the United Nations.
Background
Union Home Minister Amit Shah moved a resolution in Rajya Sabha to abolish Article 370 of the Constitution, which accorded special status to Jammu and Kashmir, after the president issued a notification, and introduced a Bill to divide the state into two Union Territories – Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
The Congress opposed the Bill in the Rajya Sabha and its members created uproar at the time of its introduction.
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