Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi on Monday, 8 April, criticised the BJP’s promise in its manifesto to repeal Article 370 and Article 35A.
“Article 370 and Article 35A are very close to our heart. Our leaders Ram Manohar Lohia and Jayaprakash Narayana fought for it,” he told Times Now.
The BJP, in its manifesto, had reiterated their commitment to repeal Article 370, which gives Jammu and Kashmir a special status, and Article 35A, which allows the state's legislature to define permanent residents, and pledged to work towards ensuring the safe return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley.
Stating that the party is committed to overcome all obstacles that come in the way of the state's development and to provide adequate financial resources to all its regions, the BJP said in its manifesto that its position since the erstwhile Jan Sangh days has been for abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution of India, reported PTI.
The saffron party also said it is committed to annulling Article 35A, which it said was "discriminatory" against non-permanent residents and women of Jammu and Kashmir.
"We believe that Article 35A is an obstacle in the development of the state," the BJP said in its manifesto titled 'Sankalp Patra', released by top party leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the party president Amit Shah, reported PTI.
In its manifesto, the BJP also said it will take all steps to ensure a safe and peaceful environment for all residents of the state and make efforts to ensure the safe return of Kashmiri Pandits, who were forced to leave the Valley in 1990s due to terrorism.
The BJP also said its government will provide financial assistance for the resettlement of refugees from West Pakistan, Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) and Chhamb.
(With inputs from Times Now and PTI.)
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