Jammu Kashmir
Jammu Kashmir regional parties come together to fight for special status a year after abrogation of Art 370
Srinagar/IBNS: Setting aside political rivalries, the main regional parties of Jammu and Kashmir have come together against revocation of Article 370 and 35A and the erstwhile state's division into two union territories a little over a year ago, said media reports.
The National Conference, People's Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Conference, Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), Congress and Awami National Conference have issued a joint statement in this regard, according to an NDTV report.
The August 5, 2019 decision of the Centre has changed the relationship between Jammu and Kashmir and New Delhi, and they would fight collectively for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's special status as guaranteed by the constitution under Article 370, the parties said in the statement.
The regional parties and the Congress will abide by "Gupkar Declaration" of August 4, 2019 which resolved to protect Jammu and Kashmir's special constitutional status and resist any attempts to dilute it, the statement read.
Meanwhile, the Congress is said to be pondering over its stand taken last year, the NDTV report said.
"Our representative had signed the Gupkar declaration last year. A lot has changed since then. We are for restoration of statehood to J&K but on abrogation of 370, we should wait for the Supreme Court verdict rather than forging any political entente," GA Mir, state Congress chief was quoted as saying by NDTV.
He said National Conference leader Dr Farooq Abdullah spoke to him over the matter a few days ago, but he hasn't signed the statement yet.
The report said political understanding and the joint statement was drafted with secrecy and a degree of precision over the last four days and some leaders even managed to meet over the issue.
A regional party leader said the collective goal of all the regional parties "will be to fight for restoration of constitution", the report added.
The draft was circulated among all the regional parties, yesterday, he added.
Meanwhile, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, who continues to be under detention under the Public Safety Act praised in a tweet her long-time political rival Dr Farooq Abdullah for his efforts to to bring the regional political parties together to fight against Centre's move.
"Ms Mufti appreciates the statesmanship shown by Dr Farooq Abdullah sahab in forging a collective response to Delhi's onslaught on J&K's special status. It's time we forego and stand together," it said.
Ms Mufti appreciates the statesmanship shown by Dr Farooq sahab in forging a collective response to Delhi’s onslaught on J&Ks special status. Its time we forego political differences & stand together. @jkpdp @JKNC_ @JKPC_ @INCIndia @cpimspeak https://t.co/drSPcdbX0c
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) August 22, 2020
President of Peoples Conference Sajjad Lone also spoke in favour of the new development.
He tweeted: "A very satisfying day. We firmly believe that a collective mechanism is the only way out. It is no longer about power. It is about a struggle to get back what rightfully belongs to us. Thanks Dr Farooq sahib Mehbooba Ji and Tarigami sahib."
A very satisfying day. We firmly believe that a collective mechanism is the only way out. It is no longer about power. It is about a struggle to get back what rightfully belongs to us. Thanks Dr Farooq sahib Mehbooba Ji and Tarigami sahib.
— Sajad Lone (@sajadlone) August 22, 2020
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