BJP, allies welcome scrapping of Article 370, oppn dubs it 'catastrophic'

During the course of the debate on article 370 in the Rajya Sabha, political parties revealed their minds on where they stood on the controversial issue.

While the BJP, Shiv Sena, RSS, AAP, BJD, BSP, TDP, TRS, Akali Dal, and AIADMK supported the move of the Modi government, many other parties opposed it.

BJP:
Arun Jaitley said, “A historical wrong has been undone today. Article 35A came through the back door without following the procedure under Article 368 of the Constitution of India. It had to go.” “The decision of the government will help the people of Jammu and Kashmir the most. More investment, more industry, more private educational institutions, more jobs and more revenue will come,” he said.

A historical wrong has been undone today. Article 35A came through the back door without following the procedure under Article 368 of the Constitution of India. It had to go.

— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) August 5, 2019

Sushma Swaraj described the government’s decision as “bold and historic”. “We salute our Great India – one India,” she added.

Shiv Sena:
Shiv Sena workers distributed sweets after the resolution revoking Article 370 from Jammu & Kashmir was moved by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Rajya Sabha today.

Priyanka Chaturvedi also tweeted, “Goosebumps. This is historic. Integration of Jammu&Kashmir is a must to ensure peace and development in the region, removing Article 370 has sealed that. I ensured my kids also witnessed this moment in history.”

RSS:
“We welcome the courageous step by the Government. This was very essential for the interest of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as the entire country. Rising from selfish motives and political differences, everyone should welcome and support this move.”

AAP:
Arvind Kejriwal, leader of Aam Aadmi Party, said, “We support the government on its decisions on J & K. We hope this will bring peace and development in the state.”

TDP:
N Chandrababu Naidu tweeted, “Telugu Desam Party supports the Union Govt as it seeks to repeal Article 370. I pray for the peace and prosperity of the people of J&K.”

Telugu Desam Party supports the Union Govt as it seeks to repeal Article 370. I pray for the peace and prosperity of the people of J&K.#Article370

— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) August 5, 2019

BJD:
“In real sense today, Jammu & Kashmir has become a part of India. My party supports this resolution. We are a regional party but for us nation is first,” said Prasanna Acharya, BJD MP.

BSP:
Satish Chandra Mishra, BSP MP expressed his support, saying, “Our party gives complete support. We want that the Bill be passed. Our party is not expressing any opposition to Article 370 Bill & the other Bill.”

AIADMK:
A Navaneethakrishnan, AIADMK MP in Rajya Sabha said, “Amma is well known for upholding sovereignty and integrity. So AIADMK party supports the two resolutions, Reorganisation Bill & the Reservation Bill.”

The Congress, PDP, NC, JD(U), TMC, CPM, RJD, and DMK have opposed the scrapping of Article 370.

Congress:
Senior Congress leader and former home minister P Chidambaram alleged that the Modi dispensations move amounted to “constitutional monstrosity” and the decision marks the “beginning of the disintegration of India if the government continues on this path”. “We anticipated a misadventure, but did not think in our wildest dreams that they will take such a catastrophic step. Today is a black day in the constitutional history of India,” he said.

Chidambaram told reporters, “If this can be done to Jammu and Kashmir let me caution you that this can be done to every other state in India. All that they have to do is dismiss the elected government, impose President’s rule, dissolve the elected assembly, Parliament takes the power of the state assembly. The government moves a resolution, Parliament approves it and the state can be dismembered,” Chidambaram said.

Ghulam Nabi Azad, Leader of Opposition, accused the BJP of taking the decision “for votes” in his remarks and also alleged that the saffron party is “playing” with unity and integrity of the state. “A border state, which is culturally, geographically, historically and politically different was bound together by Article 370. Drunk on power and to get votes, the BJP govt scrapped 3-4 things in one stroke,” Azad said.

He said that since morning, the Congress, Trinamool Congress, CPI(M), CPI, DMK, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Kerala Congress, Samajwadi Party, Keralas Muslim League, Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), has been protesting and will continue do so against this “black law”. “We will keep fighting both inside and outside Parliament,” Azad said.

PDP:
“Today marks the darkest day in Indian democracy. Decision of J&K leadership to reject two-nation theory in 1947 and align with India has backfired. Unilateral decision of GoI to scrap Article 370 is illegal & unconstitutional which will make India an occupational force in J&K,” Mehbooba Mufti tweeted.

Today marks the darkest day in Indian democracy. Decision of J&K leadership to reject 2 nation theory in 1947 & align with India has backfired. Unilateral decision of GOI to scrap Article 370 is illegal & unconstitutional which will make India an occupational force in J&K.

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) August 5, 2019

NC:
Terming the government’s move “unilateral and shocking”, Omar Abdullah said that it was a total “betrayal of trust” of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “Government of India’s unilateral and shocking decisions today are a total betrayal of the trust that the people of Jammu and Kashmir had reposed in India when the state acceded to it in 1947,” he said.

“The decisions will have far-reaching and dangerous consequences. This is an aggression against people of the state as had been warned by an all-parties meeting in Srinagar yesterday,” Abdullah added.

DMK:
The DMK on Monday strongly condemned the Centre’s move to revoke Article 370, saying it was a “murder of democracy”. DMK president MK Stalin said the measures should be held back till a democratically-elected government assumed office in the state.

Stalin accused the BJP-led Centre of being only concerned about implementing its ideological agenda and not respecting the sentiments of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who stood behind India.