Following the repealing of Articles 370 and 35A there is a split within INC, RaGa terms the move as an abuse of executive power
A day after the Union Government repealed the Articles 370 and 35A that gave special status to Jammu & Kashmir, the Former President of Indian National Congress (INC) – Rahul Gandhi has termed the Government’s move as an “abuse of executive power”.
The Jammu and Kashmir (Reorganisation) Bill, 2019, proposes to end the special status given to Jammu to Kashmir and convert it into a Union Territory (U.T.) with legislature. Besides, Ladakh would also be converted into a U.T. without legislation. The Bill was passed in Rajya Sabha yesterday, with 125 votes in favour and 61 votes against the move.
Taking to twitter, Rahul Gandhi said, “National integration isn’t furthered by unilaterally tearing apart J&K, imprisoning elected representatives and violating our Constitution. This nation is made by its people, not plots of land. This abuse of executive power has grave implications for our national security.”
National integration isn’t furthered by unilaterally tearing apart J&K, imprisoning elected representatives and violating our Constitution. This nation is made by its people, not plots of land.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 6, 2019
This abuse of executive power has grave implications for our national security.
The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government’s move was supported by various political parties which included Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIDMK).
The resolutions have been tabled in the Lok Sabha today, i.e., Tuesday, August 6, 2019 by the Home Minister of India – Amit Shah. With BJP having a comfortable majority in the lower house, the resolutions are expected to sail through easily.
Besides, there has been a split in INC with regards to repealing of Articles 370 and 35A. While senior party leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad and P. Chidambaram have opposed the move, a few members have appreciated the move.
Janardhan Dwivedi, Jaiveer Shergill and Deepender Hooda, son of former Haryana Chief Minister – Bhupinder Singh Hooda, have backed the Centre’s move. Another member, Bhubaneswar Kalita has resigned saying that INC asked him to issue a whip, but he felt that it was against the nation’s sentiments.
Addressing the Lok Sabha, Senior Congress leader, Manish Tewari said, “Today, when you remove Article 370, what message are you sending to other states that have special status?” He further said, “This is a constitutional tragedy. This is against the spirit of Constitution.”
The meeting of the Congress Working Committee is likely to happen today evening to discuss on the matter.
Separately, Rahul Gandhi has condemned the arrest of Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah.
Speaking on the arrest on Former Chief Ministers of Jammu & Kashmir – Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, Rahul Gandhi said, “Kashmir’s mainstream political leaders have been jailed at secret locations. This is unconstitutional & undemocratic. It’s also short sighted and foolish because it will allow terrorists to fill the leadership vacuum created by GOI. The imprisoned leaders must be released.”
