Narendra Modi's call for Article 370 debate a "doublespeak": Congress

JAMMU/NEW DELHI: Narendra Modi's call today for a debate on whether Article 370 of the Constitution that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir has given benefits to the state was dismissed by Congress as BJP "doublespeak'.

In its response, the National Conference(NC), Congress' ruling coalition partner in J and K and at the Centre, wondered whether the BJP Prime Ministerial candidate was aware of the provisions of Article 370.

"The manner they speak about Article 370 and Article 371 makes me conclude that they neither read the Constitution of India nor they have cared to attention in detail," Congress leader and Union Minister Manish Tewari told reporters.

Tewari said the two Articles are provisions which integrate various regions of India into the national mainstream.

"It(Modi's remark) completely reveals their(BJP) doublespeak. 10 years ago, five years ago, one year ago you would hear BJP talking about abrogating Article 370. Now they are talking about debate on Article 370," he added.

BJP today appeared to soften its stand for scrapping Article 370 with Modi telling a rally in Jammu that there should be at least a debate on whether or not it has benefited the state.

J and K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he wondered if Modi was actually aware of the provisions of Article 370.

"I challenge him or any of his minions to reproduce verbatim the section of Art 370 that determines the J&K state subject law," the NC leader tweeted.