Article 370 responsible for most of problems in J&K: BJP

JAMMU: Reiterating that Article 370 of the Constitution which grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir was responsible for the most of the state's problems, BJP today said it should be abrogated to ensure development, peace and communal harmony.

"Article 370 is responsible for the most of the problems of the state and its people. It is better for the development of the state, for peace and communal harmony to prevail, that it is abrogated," BJP's state spokesperson Virender Gupta said.

He criticised Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti for her remark in the Assembly that those demanding abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A are "anti-national".

"It is a paradox that the party and its followers, who are committed to nationalism, fighting separatist forces and want to end the uncertain conditions prevailing in J&K by abrogating Article 370 and putting their best efforts to bring its people in the national mainstream, are being abused as anti-national.

"Whereas those who have always exploited the people of the state under the shelter of Article 370 and appease the separatist forces for the vote bank politics, are being portrayed as nationalists," he said.

Gupta claimed that political opponents were trying to use the chief minister's remark to disturb the harmonious relations between the ruling alliance partners.

"They are forgetting the fact that majority of the state population, that includes people of Jammu region, Ladkah region and a good section of population of the Valley are in favour of abrogation of the Article," the BJP leader said.

Gupta said that Article 370 is responsible for creating the psyche among the Kashmiri masses that Jammu and Kashmir is not a settled issue and breeding secessionism among them, which are being exploited by separatists, ISI and Pakistan.